Zhao Zhengyong, former Secretary of the Shaanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), pleaded guilty to accepting bribes of more than 700 million yuan ($99 million) at his trial on May 11. Prosecutors clarified that 291 million yuan ($41.03 million) had not been actually paid.

From 2003 to 2018, Zhao made use of his various posts to favor individuals and departments in project contracting, job promotions and business operations.

Zhao, also a former national legislator, was placed under investigation in January 2019 on suspicion of serious violations of laws and CPC disciplinary rules. He was removed from public office in March 2019.

During the trial, he pleaded guilty and expressed remorse in his final statement. The court in the port city of Tianjin said the sentence will be announced later.