SHANGHAI: A former district chief was sentenced yesterday to 13 years in prison for taking bribes of 1.87 million yuan ($274,000).

Zhang Keming, 65, the former vice-director of Putuo district in Shanghai, illegally traded property and land, abused tax policies and took bribes four times, according to Shanghai No 2 intermediate people court.

Zhang, who was quiet during the hearing, was escorted from the courtroom without appeal. His attorney had earlier declined comment.