Former railway chief charged with corruption

China's former railways minister Liu Zhijun has been charged with bribery and abuse of power, according to Xinhua News Agency on Wednesday.

Beijing No. 2 People's Procuratorate filed the charges against Liu with the Beijing No 2 Intermediate People's Court on Wednesday. No trial date has been set.

According to the indictment issued by the Second Branch of Beijing People's Procuratorate, as a state functionary, Liu sought benefits for others by taking advantage of his position, and accepted financial incentives from others, which were of a huge amount.

The indictment said as a member of staff of a state organ, Liu engaged in malpractices for personal gains and abuse of power, leading to huge losses of public properties and of the interests of the state and its people.

With "especially serious circumstances," Liu should be subject to criminal liabilities for bribe taking and abuse of power according to law.

The procuratorate has told Liu of his rights. It has interrogated the defendant, and heard the opinions of his legal defender during examination and prosecution.