Former Liaoning official’s bribery trial comes to a close

Liu Guoqiang, former vice chairman of the Liaoning Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, stood trial after being charged with taking over 352 million yuan ($54.2 million) in bribes in Tianjin. He pleaded guilty on Tuesday.

The first branch of the Tianjin Municipal People's Procuratorate made the prosecution against Liu, and the First Intermediate People's Court heard the case publicly.

Prosecutors said Liu took advantage of his positions as vice-governor of Liaoning province and vice-chairman of the Liaoning Provincial Committee of the CPPCC to unfairly help others in business operation and promotion from 2006 to 2020.

In return, he accepted money and property totaling more than 352 million yuan.

Liu made his final statement in court and confessed his guilt. The court said it would issue a verdict later.

Liu, 68, a native of Liaoning province, was put under investigation in July 2020. He was expelled from the Party over serious violations of Party discipline and laws in January 2021. His case was handed over to the procuratorate for review and prosecution in March.