Former Guizhou CPPCC vice-chairman charged with taking bribes, abuse of power

Li Zaiyong, former vice-chairman of the Guizhou Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, has been charged with taking bribes and abuse of power by the Fifth Division of the Chongqing Municipal People's Procuratorate, the Supreme People's Procuratorate announced on Wednesday.

It said in a statement that the National Commission for Supervision recently concluded an investigation into Li's case and transferred it to procuratorial organs for review and proceedings, with the Chongqing procuratorate designated to handle the case.

During the stage of examination and prosecution, the procuratorate informed Li of his litigation rights, and listened to the opinions of his defense counsel.

Prosecutors accuse Li of exploiting his various positions, including mayor and Party chief of Guiyang, the capital city of Guizhou, Party chief of Liupanshui, secretary-general of the Communist Party of China Guizhou Provincial Committee, and vice-governor of Guizhou, to seek benefits for others and accepting particularly large amounts of property in return.

While serving as Party chief of Liupanshui and director of its Urban and Rural Planning and Construction Committee, Li abused his power and conducted construction projects in violation of regulations, resulting in significant losses to public property, it said.

Li, 61, a native of Guizhou, began working in 1983 and joined the CPC a year later. He spent his entire career in Guizhou.

Li was placed under investigation in March last year. He was expelled from the Party, removed from office and arrested in November.