KUNMING, May 14 -- A high-level official in southwest China's Yunnan Province was put on trial on Thursday for taking bribes of about 22 million yuan (3.5 million U.S. dollars).

Lin Gengye, who was arrested last year, had served as the chief of the provincial Department of Land Resources, has confessed to his crimes, according to the Honghe Prefecture Intermediate People's Court.

The prosecutors said Lin took the money in exchange for favors but had been helpful in other investigations.

The court has not given a verdict and did not specify any date.