Ex-Party chief of Guizhou pleads guilty

In Tianjin court, Sun Zhigang admits taking bribes worth 813 million yuan

Sun Zhigang, the former Party chief of Guizhou province and deputy director of the National People's Congress Financial and Economic Affairs Committee, pleaded guilty to accepting bribes totaling 813 million yuan ($113.6 million) during a public trial held by the Second Intermediate People's Court of Tianjin Municipality on Wednesday.

Sun confessed his crimes and made a final statement in court. The court announced that sentencing will be made at a later date.

Prosecutors accused Sun of taking advantage of his various positions — including as secretary-general of the Communist Party of China Hubei Provincial Committee, vice-governor of Anhui province, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, and governor and Party chief of Guizhou — to help companies and people in such matters as winning contracts for projects, procuring shares in enterprises and developing real estate.