Former vice minister of finance pleads guilty of taking bribes

Zhang Shaochun, former vice-minister of finance, pleaded guilty to taking bribes valued at 66.98 million yuan ($9.72 million), according to the official WeChat account of the Beijing Supreme People's Court on Dec 14.

The second branch of the Beijing Municipal People's Procuratorate accused Zhang of taking bribes valued at 66.98 million yuan during his tenure as deputy director of the general office of the ministry, assistant minister, deputy secretary of party committee, and vice-minister of finance from 1995 to 2018.

Zhang provided assistance to relevant units and individuals in matters such as enterprise operation, position adjustment and children's enrollment through job facilitation, according to the court.

Zhang confessed to his guilt in court, and the court adjourned the proceedings and will pronounce a sentence at a later stage.