Former vice governor of NE China province stands trial

A former vice governor of northeast China's Liaoning Province stood trial Thursday for taking bribes and disrupting elections at the Third Intermediate People's Court of Beijing.

Liu Qiang was charged with accepting money and property worth more than 10.63 million yuan (about 1.53 million U.S. dollars) personally or through others between 2000 and 2017.

He took advantage of his different posts to help others on issues such as business operation, project contracts and job promotion.

The prosecutors also accused Liu of bribery and illegally canvassing for himself during the local election.

Between 2011 and January 2013, Liu disrupted the election with the power and influence of his position as secretary of the Communist Party of China Fushun Municipal Committee, in an attempt to be elected as vice governor of Liaoning Province, according to the prosecutors.

Prosecutors, the defendant and his lawyers cross-examined evidence and gave full testimonies, according to the court's statement.

Liu made his final statement, confessing and expressing remorse in court.

The trial was attended by 70 people, including legislators and political advisors. The court will announce the verdict at a later date.