Former vice minister of industry, commerce stands trial for corruption

JINAN -- Sun Hongzhi, former vice minister of the State Administration for Industry & Commerce, stood trial on Thursday for taking bribes, embezzlement of public funds and holding a huge amount of property with unidentified sources.

Sun was accused of taking advantage of his various official posts from 2002 to 2014 to seek benefits for 25 entities and individuals in obtaining contracts and promotions.

Sun accepted bribes of over 14.2 million yuan (around $2.1 million), either himself or through his wife, according to the indictment from the People's Procuratorate of Taian City in east China's Shandong Province.

When he served as mayor of Songyuan City in northeast China's Jilin Province from 2009 to November 2014, Sun abused his power to embezzle public funds of over 1.64 million yuan, the indictment reads.

He is also accused of holding property worth more than 9.53 million yuan with unidentified sources.

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

Sun confessed to the crimes, and expressed remorse in court.

The ruling will be announced at a later date.

More than 80 people, including journalists and members of the public, attended Thursday's hearing.