SHIJIAZHUANG, Nov. 23 -- A former state-owned assets official in north China's Hebei Province stood trial on Monday for accepting bribes and paintings worth 23 million yuan (3.6 million U.S. dollars).
Zhou Jie, former head of the Hebei Provincial State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, was accused of accepting or demanding bribes between 2006 and 2014 in exchange for benefits for companies or individuals, according to trial proceedings at the Langfang City Intermediate People's Court.
Zhou was charged with asking for three valuable paintings, including one worth 3.1 million yuan by Qi Baishi, one of 20th century China's most outstanding artists, from a company boss in Tangshan City, Hebei.
The court will hand down a verdict on a separate day.
Zhou was a senior political advisor of Hebei when he was investigated for serious discipline and law violations in April this year.
The country's unprecedented anti-corruption campaign has sent a large number of both high-ranking and lower-level officials to jail in the past three years.
J-10B fighters with homegrown engine in test fligh
Photos of U.S. Navy intruding in South China Sea released
Cats who immediately regretted their life choices in photographs
Beautiful girl from police college becomes Internet hit
10 tons of copper coins unearthed in 2,000-yr old tomb
In Pics: Amazing Chinese fighters
Chinese, U.S. navies hold first-ever joint exercise in the Atlantic
When a Chinese woman marries an Indian man
Photos of beautiful teacher hit the Internet
Top 20 hottest women in the world in 2014
Top 10 hardest languages to learn
10 Chinese female stars with most beautiful faces
China’s Top 10 Unique Bridges, Highways and Roads
Boar war
Half the world away
Mali attack casts shadow on investment
Prudence needed over decision to fight ISDay|Week
