Former Yulin mayor pleads guilty to bribery

Li Jinzhu, former senior legislator from Shaanxi province, pleaded guilty to taking bribes of more than 432 million yuan ($59.6 million) on Thursday when standing at a court in Guangdong province.

From 2004 t0 2023, Li was found to have taken advantage of various work posts in Shaanxi, including mayor of Yulin, vice-governor of the province and deputy head of the Standing Committee of the Shaanxi People's Congress, the provincial top legislature, to seek profits for individuals and departments in matters such as business operation, project contracting and job promotion, accepting bribes worth over 432 million yuan in return, prosecutors in Guangzhou, Guangdong, said during the trial.

Li should be held criminally liable for the bribery, according to the prosecutors.

Li and his lawyer also shared opinions after the prosecutors provided evidence, with Li confessing to the crime.

The Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court said the verdict will be announced at a later date.

More than 30 people, including national lawmakers, political advisors and journalists, attended the case hearing.

Li, 69, a native of Hebei province, joined the Communist Party of China in 1976 and started his career in 1982.

He was engaged in the country's coal industry for many years. Then, he worked for the National Academy of Governance from 2001 to 2006. Later, he went to Shaanxi, beginning his job in the province.

In 2015, he became deputy head of the Shaanxi Provincial People's Congress Standing Committee.

In May 2023, he was probed for suspected serious violations of the Party disciplines and national laws. At the end of that year, he was expelled from the Party.

In March, he was indicted for alleged bribery by the Guangdong prosecutors.

caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn