Former national science association official stands trial

NANJING - Chen Gang, a former member of the Leading Party Members Group of the China Association for Science and Technology, stood trial for bribery Thursday at the Intermediate People's Court of Nanjing in Jiangsu Province.

While Chen successively held various posts between 2003 and 2018, including chief of the urban planning authority and vice mayor of Beijing, he took advantage of his positions and influence to help certain companies benefit from changing the listed purpose of land use for construction projects, adjusting project indicators and examining, approving and accepting projects, said the prosecutors.

Chen was accused of accepting money and gifts worth more than 128.9 million yuan (nearly 18.5 million U.S. dollars) in return.

Chen pleaded guilty and expressed remorse in his final statement.

The trial was attended by legislators, political advisors, press and members of the public.

The sentence will be announced at a later date.