Former senior Zhejiang provincial political adviser pleads guilty to bribes

Zhu Congjiu, a former senior political adviser in East China's Zhejiang province, pleaded guilty to bribery in court in Jiangxi province on Friday.

From 2002 to 2022, Zhu was found to have made use of his various work positions, including general manager of the Shanghai Stock Exchange, head of the China Securities Regulatory Commission's department, and deputy governor of Zhejiang, to seek profits for individuals or departments in matters such as company listing, financing loans and business operation, according to prosecutors from Ganzhou, a city in Jiangxi.

In return, Zhu accepted bribes of more than 105 million yuan ($14.8 million), the prosecutors said with evidence, adding that he should be held criminally liable.

Zhu and his lawyer also shared opinions during the trial, and Zhu confessed to the crime in his final statement.

The Ganzhou Intermediate People's Court said that it will announce the verdict at a later date.

Over 40 people, including national lawmakers and political advisers, attended the case hearing.

Public information shows that Zhu, 59, a native of Anhui province, joined the Communist Party of China in 1985 and started his job in 1988. He worked in finance and securities for decades.

Zhu served as deputy governor of Zhejiang in 2012. In early 2023, he became vice-chairperson of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

In May 2023, he was placed under investigation for suspected severe violations of the Party disciplines and national laws. In November, he was expelled from the Party and removed from public office.

In March this year, he was indicted on charges of accepting bribes.