Former senior political adviser charged with bribery

Zhang Xiaolian, the deputy head of the Committee on Economic Affairs of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, has been charged with suspected bribery, the Supreme People's Procuratorate said on Tuesday.

The investigation into Zhang was concluded by the National Supervisory Commission, and the procuratorate has designated the Shijiazhuang People's Procuratorate in Hebei province to review and prosecute the case.

Prosecutors have accused Zhang of abusing his positions and the advantages conferred by his authority and status to seek benefits for others, in return for which he allegedly received substantial illegal payments. The sums involved are described as particularly large, warranting criminal prosecution for bribery under the law.

Zhang, 61, has held several significant positions throughout his career, including serving as the mayor of Harbin in Heilongjiang province, a member of the Standing Committee of the Heilongjiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, and the deputy head of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the 13th National Committee of the CPPCC.