Former chairman of China's CNPC goes on trial for corruption

The former head of China's biggest energy group, one of the most senior officials to be ensnared in China's anti-corruption drive, has gone on trial.

Jiang Jiemin, who was in charge of China National Petroleum Corp, is accused of taking bribes, holding property from unidentified sources and abusing power at a state-owned business.

The extra-judicial detention of Mr Jiang in August 2013 was the beginning of a wave that has decimated the patronage networks of Zhou Yongkang, the former energy and security tsar.

The Hanjiang Intermediate People's Court in Xiantao city in Hubei province posted a message on its social media account to say the trial of Mr Jiang had opened.

The trial of Mr Jiang, who also briefly headed the agency overseeing big state-owned enterprises, is a precursor to that of Mr Zhou, accused of bribery, abuse of power and "intentional disclosure of state secrets".

Mr Zhou publicly supported Bo Xilai, the disgraced politician, in his attempt to join the highest ranks of the Communist party, and his supporters have been the main targets of the anti-corruption drive by President Xi Jinping. No date has been set for Mr Zhou's trial.

Putting high-ranking "tigers" on trial will enhance the appearance of impartiality in the drive, which is highly popular. The purge has been accompanied by a campaign against conspicuous consumption by officials that has hurt sales of luxury watches and alcoholic spirits - and dented bookings at upmarket restaurants.

The purge has been accompanied by the detention and imprisonment of lawyers and citizen activists who pushed for officials to reveal their wealth.

A verdict against Mr Jiang is almost a foregone conclusion since Chinese courts have a conviction rate of 99.9 per cent. However, published verdicts and, in some cases, leaked transcripts provide more information than the actions of the disciplinary commission, which operates in secrecy.

Mr Jiang would have been handed to a civil court only after his case was decided internally by the party, whose procedures trump Chinese law. Mr Jiang, a party member since the age of 22, was ejected in the wake of his detention.

The court said Mr Jiang did not object to the charges against him. It also said he had a lawyer but did not identify that person.

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