China ex-railway minister goes on trial for corruption

The Chinese state media and a defence attorney say Liu Zhijun, a former railway minister, will go on trial Sunday for charges including graft and abuse of power.

The Chinese state media and a defence attorney say Liu Zhijun, a former railway minister, will go on trial Sunday for charges including graft and abuse of power.

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The official Xinhua News Agency said Saturday that the Beijing Second Intermediate People's Court confirmed that it will hear the case against Liu, also a former party chief at the railways ministry, on Sunday.

Prosecutors say Liu - as a government functionary - sought benefits for others by taking advantage of his position, and accepted financial incentives from others.

They say Liu engaged in malpractices for personal gain and abuse of power, leading to huge losses of public property.

Liu's lawyer Qian Lieyang says he plans to argue for milder charges during the trial.