Former Jiangsu official pleads guilty to bribery

Miao Ruilin, former vice-governor of Jiangsu province, pleaded guilty to bribery during his first trial on Wednesday at Qingdao Intermediate People's Court in Shandong province.

Prosecutors said Miao took advantage of his positions - as mayor and Party secretary of Suqian city in Jiangsu province, vice-governor of Jiangsu province and mayor of Jiangsu's capital Nanjing - to provide assistance for both individuals and organizations in matters of enterprise project approvals, project contracting and employment.

In return, they said, Miao received illegal properties directly or through close relatives equivalent to 7.2 million yuan ($1.02 million).