A former chief of China's biggest oil company went on trial for corruption charges with the prosecution publicly linking his alleged corruption activities with the country's top retired security official, the highest official to be targeted in Chinese President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption drive.

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Jiang Jiemin,former Chairman of  China National Petroleum Corp,. was tried on Monday for alleged crimes of bribery and abuse of power as the prosecution hammered on his connection with Zhou Yongkang, who once headed China's powerful national security agency.

China's state-run media entity, Xinhua, reported that prosecutors alleged that Jiang amassed more than 14 million yuan ($2.3 million) in illegal income and assets while holding various positions in the oil company.

According to the court statement carried by Xinhua, prosecutors further alleged that Jiang influenced the awarding of projects for oil and gas explorations, gas turbine, and natural gas supplies from 2004-2008 with the approval of Zhou.

Monday's one-day trial after a two-year series of detentions has confirmed Jiang's involvement in graft and corruption activities with prosecutors establishing his connection with Zhou.

Reports said Jiang admitted his guilt on the list of crimes charged against him and apologized before the court during the trial. Reports said the verdict will be handed down on a later date.

Although details about the trial were sparse, reports said the trial revealed the causal link between business and political power in China, with  Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign being waged in an effort to restructure both.

Xi's anti-corruption drive has spared no one although it has cast a wider net in the oil and gas industries where graft and corruption is rampant.

To date, more than 40 officials of the China National Petroleum Corp have been investigated for corruption. Xi reportedly is bent on restricting power in the country's biggest state-owned enterprises.

Court documents showed that many officials in the oil sector involved in graft have alleged ties with Zhou, who is likewise expected to face trial in the coming months for corruption charges.

"Jiang Jiemin was one of the key members of this alleged corruption ring headed by Mr. Zhou Yongkang," said Willy Lam, a Hong Kong-based China political analyst.

At his trial, prosecutors presented evidence  on Jiang's corruption activities, which showed that between 2004 and 2013, he offered promotions and enriched himself through the awarding of construction projects.

Money changed hands between him and wealthy businessmen with his wife also receiving bribe. Reports said charges are also being readied against Jiang's wife.

Prosecutors said Jiang was unable to explain a 14.8 million yuan difference between the family assets and his legal income.

TagsChina National Petroleum Corp., Zhou Yongkang