CAS denies railway corruption link

The Academic Division of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) clarified on Wednesday that they have not received any complaints charging any of the CAS members for taking bribes from a former railway official who was seeking membership.

The announcement, came after earlier media reports that Zhang Shuguang, former head of the disassembled Ministry of Railways' transportation bureau and deputy chief engineer, was trying to buy his way into prestigious CAS membership.

Zhang, who is indicted for taking bribes worth 47.55 million yuan ($7.77 million), stood trial at the Beijing No.2 Intermediate People's Court on Tuesday.

The CAS said it has also launched a judicial investigation on the report, through which any CAS member who is found to have received money will be severely punished in accordance with the law.