A PROJECT contractor who offered bribes amounting to 7.09 million yuan (US$1.05 million) to Jiang Zunyu, Shenzhen’s former security chief, stood trial at Guangzhou Intermediate People’s Court on Tuesday, the Information Times reported.

According to the indictment, starting in 1999, in order to seek improper interests and obtain more contracted projects, Huang Zeping offered 7.09 million yuan in bribes to Jiang, the then director of Longgang’s land resources and housing management bureau, through Jiang’s crony Li Weiping. Huang also gave Li HK$500,000 (US$63,967) in bribes. The money was given to them on different occasions.

In addition, from 2002 to 2005, Huang gave 1 million yuan to Hu Haizhan, the then chief engineer of the Shenzhen Civic Center Construction Office, while undertaking the project of building the underground parking garage of Civic Center Square.

Prosecutors said that criminal responsibility should be investigated concerning Huang’s bribery. But since he had surrendered himself to police and confessed to his crime, lighter or mitigated punishment could be given.

The court has yet to hand down a verdict. (Zhang Yu)