The former head of China Construction Bank Corp, Zhang Enzhao, was jailed for 15 years on Friday after pleading guilty to taking bribes to arrange loans.

The verdict was handed down by the Beijing No 1 Intermediate People's Court, a Xinhua report said.

Zhang was charged of taking bribes amounting to 4.19 million yuan from 2001 to 2005 when he was vice president and president of China Construction Bank, and arranging loans for those who offered him bribes.

A financial magazine report said Zhang, 59, was calm and nodded when the verdict was read in the court.

His lawyer said it is unknown yet whether Zhang would appeal, and a decision would be made after the lawyer meets Zhang next week.

(China Daily November 3, 2006)