Former top railway official accused of taking bribes

Sheng Guangzu, former secretary of the leading Party members group and general manager of China Railway Corporation — now known as China State Railway Group — has been accused of taking bribes by prosecutors in Baoji, Shaanxi province.

News of the accusation was announced by the Supreme People's Procuratorate on its website on Monday.

The Baoji prosecutors said in the announcement that Sheng took advantage of his previous work positions — which included serving as head of the General Administration of Customs, head of the China Railway Corp, member of the 12th National People's Congress Standing Committee and deputy head of the NPC's Financial and Economic Affairs Committee — to illegally seek benefits for others and accepted a large amount of bribes in return.

He continued this behavior even after leaving his posts, prosecutors said, adding that he should be held criminally liable for the crime of bribery and using his influence to solicit bribes.

While informing Sheng of his right to litigation, prosecutors added that they had also interrogated him and listened to the opinions offered by his defense attorney while reviewing the case.

China Railway Corp was renamed China State Railway Group in 2019.