Senior provincial official stands trial in NW China

A court in northwest China heard the case of former Zunyi City Party Secretary Liao Shaohua, who stood trial for bribery and abuse of power on Thursday.

Liao was tried at the Intermediate People's Court in Xi'an, capital city of Shaanxi Province.

During his term as Zunyi Party Secretary, Liao also served as member of the standing committee of the Guizhou Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China.

Liao is accused of taking bribes worth more than 13.2 million yuan (2.1 million US dollars) when serving as mayor of Liupanshui City, Party Secretary of Qiandongnan Prefecture and Party Secretary of Zunyi City from 2004 to 2012.

The prosecution said Liao took the bribes from 11 businessmen and sought profits for them.

Prosecutors also said Liao abused his power as Qiandongnan Prefecture Party Secretary and caused huge losses of national funds.

Liao and his attorney questioned the prosecutors' evidence in court, and Liao made a statement.

The court said it will issue a verdict on a later date.