Ding Shumiao, tycoon linked to ex-rail chief, stands trial

Ding Shumiao, a businesswoman accused of colluding with former railways chief Liu Zhijun over projects worth more than 185 billion yuan (HK$233 billion), stood trial on charges of bribery and illegal business activities in Beijing.

Wearing a pink pullover, Ding , who is also known as Ding Yuxin, appeared weak in photographs and video released by state media. The 58-year-old woman is in poor health, suffering from hypertension and heart disease. She could not stand firmly and was allowed to get seated while the prosecution read out the charges.

The judge halted proceedings briefly in the afternoon when her blood pressure rose sharply, and an ambulance was on stand-by outside the Beijing No2 Intermediate People's Court.

Ding's lawyer had earlier said she would plead not guilty. The trial ended and the verdict will be announced later.

The tycoon was portrayed as a key financier behind the fallen minister at his trial in June.

She built up a network of connections with rail officials, steering bids for 57 projects worth more than 185 billion yuan to 23 companies between 2007 and 2010, prosecutors said yesterday, according to statements released on the court's Weibo account.

She took more than two billion yuan in "middleman" fees through these transactions.