The former head of China's pharmaceutical watchdog, sentenced to death on corruption charges last month, has appealed for leniency in a second hearing of his case.

Zheng Xiaoyu, former director of China's State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA), asked the court of second instance to reconsider his sentence as the "penalty was too severe."

Zheng said he "confessed his wrongdoings" and "cooperated with the prosecutors for investigation," which could merit a lighter sentence under Chinese law.

Zheng, 63, was sentenced at the Beijing Municipal No. 1 Intermediate Court on May 29 for taking bribes and dereliction of duty.

He received the death penalty on the graft charge and seven years in prison for dereliction of duty. All his personal property was confiscated and he was deprived of his political rights for life.

Zheng had taken bribes, including cash and gifts, which were worth more than 6.49 million yuan (US$850,000), the court heard.

The bribes were given either directly or through his wife and son.

The court ruled the death sentence was appropriate given the "huge bribes involved and the great damage inflicted on the country and the public by Zheng's dereliction of duty."

Six types of medicine approved by the administration during his tenure were fakes, and some pharmaceutical companies used false documents to apply for approvals, the court heard.

The court, during the first hearing, accepted Zheng's confession.

As SFDA director, Zheng had overseen the implementation of the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), which required companies to obtain a GMP certificate before being able to register new medicines.

The credibility of the system was seriously undermined in July last year when "Xinfu" antibiotic injections, manufactured by Anhui Huayuan Worldbest Biology Pharmacy Company, caused the deaths of at least six people and severe reactions in more than 80 others.

(Xinhua News Agency June 12, 2007)