Former Chongqing official pleads guilty to bribery

Zheng Hong, a former senior official who worked for the Chongqing Supreme Legislative Assembly, pleaded guilty to accepting bribes of more than 50 million yuan ($7 million) during his trial in Xi ‘an, Shaanxi province, on Friday.

Zheng, former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chongqing Municipal People’s Congress, allegedly used his positions, including those of governor of Chongqing’s Jiulongpo District and head of the Chongqing Municipal Federation of Trade Unions, to obtain social benefits . for individuals and departments in areas such as business operation and project procurement between 1998 and 2023, according to Xi’an prosecutors.

In exchange, Zheng accepted bribes worth more than 33.14 million yuan, prosecutors said.

After his retirement, Zheng still used his influence to help others in areas such as business operations and enforcement of court decisions, and then accepted more than 17.69 million yuan directly or through members of his family, prosecutors added.

During the trial, Zheng and his lawyer also shared their opinions on the evidence provided by prosecutors, and Zheng eventually confessed to his crime.

The Xi’an Intermediate People’s Court said the verdict would be announced at a later date.

In March last year, Zheng, 69, from Chongqing, was investigated for alleged serious violations of Party disciplines and national laws.

In August of the same year, he was expelled from the Chinese Communist Party.

Earlier this year he was charged with bribery.