Sichuan officials prosecuted over corruption

Authorities in southwest China's Sichuan Province have brought legal proceedings against two former senior officials accused of acting corruptly.

Pu Zhong, former executive vice mayor of Ya'an City, was accused of taking a large amount of bribes, including cash and gift cards, in return for help in project bidding, land use and job promotions, said a statement posted on the website of the provincial people's procuratorate on Monday.

Pu, who became vice mayor of Ya'an in February 2010, was placed under investigation in December 2013. A 7.0-magnitude quake left 196 people dead and thousands injured in Ya'an in April 2013.

Wen Jiabi, former executive vice president of the Sichuan branch of the Red Cross Society, was accused of asking for and taking bribes, as well as embezzling public funds.

The Red Cross Society of China has suffered a crisis of public trust since 2011, when a woman claiming to manage an organization under the society took to social media to boast of her wealth and extravagant lifestyle.

The statement gave no further details on the legal proceedings.