The former deputy head of China's Taiwan Affairs Office was put on legal trial on Friday, after China's state prosecutor accused him of bribery and abuse of power.

In a brief statement, the state prosecutor said Gong Qinggai abused his executive powers to "seek benefits for others" and took large sums of illicit money.

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It was not possible to reach out to Gong for his reaction and is not clear if he will be allowed to get legal assistance during the trail. 

It has been suspected that Gong indulged in wrongdoings when he held several key posts in the south-eastern Chinese province of Fujian. This was apparently much before he was appointed as deputy head of Taiwan Affairs Office in 2013.

He was put under investigation in January by Chinese authorities, a decision that was seen as a part of President Xi Jingping's ongoing nationwide crackdown against corruption.

In April, the ruling Communist Party also accused Gong of taking part in "superstitious activities," which is prohibited under Chinese law.               

Xi's ongoing nationwide crackdown against corruption has led to prosecution of several high ranking officials, while several have also been convicted by Chinese courts. The Chinese leader started the nationwide crackdown soon after taking over the office in 2013 with a mission to wipe out corruption from Chinese society.             

Meanwhile, it is not clear whether the prosecution of Gong Qinggai will have any impact on cross-strait relation, which is already going through considerable strain. China and Taiwan have been on crossroads ever since the pro-independent Tsai Ing-wen swept the Taiwanese presidential election in January.        

Tagschina, China and Taiwan, China Corrupation, China's Taiwan Affairs Office, China Graft