CHANGCHUN, June 30 -- Han Xuejian, former Party chief of Daqiang City in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, stood trial on Thursday in Liaoyuan City of neighboring Jilin Province.

Han was charged with accepting bribes worth 16.86 million yuan (2.59 million U.S. dollars), either personally or through persons of interest from 1998 to 2014, according to Liaoyuan City Procuratorate.

He had used his influence to profit others in matters concerning business, government contracts and promotion, the indictment said.

Han was also a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Heilongjiang Provincial Committee.

Han pleaded guilty and expressed remorse in front of about 40 people, including lawmakers, political advisors, and public and media outlets representatives.

The trial concluded Thursday and the court will announce its verdict later, the statement said.