Ling Zhengce stands trial for corruption

NANJING -- Ling Zhengce, former senior official of Shanxi province, stood trial on Tuesday for taking bribes.

Ling, former vice chairman of the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, was accused of taking advantage of his various posts to offer help, through other state officials, to companies and individuals including former deputy Shanxi governor Du Shanxue, in project examination and approval, business operations and personnel promotion.

Ling accepted bribes worth more than 16 million yuan (around $2.4 million), either by himself or through his son Linghu Shuai, according to the indictment from the People's Procuratorate of Changzhou in east China's Jiangsu province.

The procuratorate filed the charges with the Changzhou Intermediate People's Court.

During the trial, the prosecutors presented evidence, and Ling and his defense counsel responded to the evidence.

In his final statement, Ling pleaded guilty and expressed remorse.

The court ruling will be announced at a later date.

More than 60 people, including national and local lawmakers, political advisors, journalists and members of the public, attended the trial.