Former high official admits taking bribes

Sun Huaishan, a former senior political adviser, pleaded guilty to taking bribes of 39.75 million yuan ($6.23 million), the intermediate people's court in Hulun Buir, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, announced on Wednesday.

Sun, 65, was formerly a member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee and head of the Committee for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Compatriots and Overseas Chinese of the CPPCC National Committee.

Sun is accused of taking advantage of his posts to seek profits for certain businesses and individuals. He helped secure land-use rights, approvals for business operations, project approvals and promotions of personnel while serving as director of the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League, deputy secretary-general and Standing Committee member of the CPPCC National Committee and member of Communist Party of China Central Committee from 1994 to 2016, according to the indictment by the Hulun Buir people's procuratorate.

Sun accepted large amounts of money and property directly or through family members between 2000 and 2016.

Sun responded to evidence presented by prosecutors, and both he and his attorney were cross-examined and were able to fully express their opinions, the court said.

After delivering a final statement, Sun admitted guilt and expressed remorse.

The court said more than 60 people attended the trial, including members of the National People's Congress, CPPCC, media and the public.

The court said Sun's sentence will be announced at a later date.

Sun was expelled from the CPC and dismissed from public office in June for corruption and violating the Party's code of conduct, according to China's anti-corruption watchdog, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.