Former senior Henan official stands trial for bribery

Wuhan -- Chen Xuefeng, a former provincial-level official in Central China's Henan province, stood trial Thursday at a court in central China's Hubei Province for accepting bribes and abuse of power.

Prosecutors accused Chen of taking advantage of his positions to seek benefits for others and of accepting money and assets worth more than 148 million yuan (nearly $21.5 million dollars) between 2000 and 2015.

Chen was a former member of the standing committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Henan Provincial Committee and former secretary of the Luoyang Municipal Committee of the CPC.

The case was tried at the Intermediate People's Court of Jingzhou City in Hubei.

Chen made a statement to the court in which he pled guilty and expressed remorse.

More than 60 people, including legislators, political advisors, journalists and members of the public, were present at the trial.

The verdict will be announced at another date.