The former deputy director of China's General Administration of Sport, Xiao Tian, stood trial for accepting bribes on Thursday.

Xiao, 61, has been accused of taking advantage of his official posts from the years 1997 to 2014 to accumulate personal gains.

According to Shanghai Daily, the former Chinese official accepted enormous bribes amounting to more than 7.96 million yuan ($1.19 million).

Like Us on Facebook

Nanyang People's Procuratorate in central China's Henan Province filed the charges against Xiao with the Nanyang Intermediate People's Court.

At the end of the trial, Xiao pleaded guilty and expressed remorse.

About 50 people, including members of the public and the press, attended the hearing. At a later date, the court's ruling will be announced.

According to the International Business Times, Xiao was dismissed from his post in July last year, shortly after China's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection started investigating allegations against him. China's anti-corruption officials revealed that Xiao accepted bribes, personally interfered with official events, and attempted to illegally place his wife in an unspecified job.

The investigating agency also accused Xiao of trying to cover up his crimes. Xiao was expelled from the powerful Communist Party in September 2015.

"Xiao Tian had lost all his ideals and faith as a high-ranking leader and cadre of the party," the anti-corruption body said in a statement.

Prior to his political career, Xiao was a fencer with Anhui Fencing Team. He became the Deputy Director of State General Administration of Sports in the year 2005.

TagsXiao Tian, Nanyang People's Procuratorate, Communist Party, Central Commission for Discipline Inspection