Former planning official admits graft

BEIJING - Chen Baihuai, a former senior political advisor in Hubei Province, is being prosecuted on charges of power abuse and taking bribes, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) said on Monday.

The SPP has concluded an investigation of Chen and designated the Fuzhou city people's procuratorate in Fujian Province to conduct the prosecution, the SPP said in a statement.

Prosecutors have properly informed Chen of his litigation rights and questioned him. Prosecutors have also heard opinions from Chen's defender, the statement said.

Prosecutors found that Chen, former vice chairman of the Hubei Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, took advantage of his position to seek benefits for others and accepted money and gifts.

When serving as a provincial agricultural head in Hubei, Chen committed fraud for personal gains and abused his power. His actions have caused "huge losses" to public funds and to "the benefit of the country and the people," the statement said, adding that his illegal activities were "especially serious."

Chen's case will be heard at the Fuzhou City Intermediate People's Court.