BEIJING, April 13 -- A former senior official with the nation's major space rocket institution is to face charges for taking bribes.

    Li Jianzhong, the former president of the Chinese Academy of Carrier Rocket Technology, has been investigated by the judicial departments, the China Times quoted an anonymous source from the academy as saying yesterday.

    Li, 68, who was also chairman of the Long March Launch Vehicle Technology Co Ltd, is alleged to be linked with a corruption case involving more than 2 million yuan (US$240,000), a vice-president of the academy told the Beijing-based newspaper.

    The academy was responsible for research involving the Shenzhou V spacecraft that sent China's first astronaut, Yang Liwei, into space in 2003. Preparations are currently being made for the launch of the Shenzhou VI spacecraft.

    Taking bribes was Li's personal behaviour and had no bearing on funds for scientific research and did not affect the quality of the Shenzhou V spacecraft, the vice-president said.

    "Li's case will not have an impact on the on-going research into the Shenzhou VI spacecraft," he told the newspaper.

    Li led his academy to success with the Long March Series of rockets after he took up his post in 1991.

    
(Source: China Daily)