Complex web unravels as trial of China's disgraced security tsar follows the money

Zhou Yongkang's family members and close associates were named in the court's verdict as key witnesses to his criminal charges, exposing Zhou's connections to the political, business and energy sectors.

Sichuan businessman Wu Bing was called as a witness to testify in court on Zhou's bribery charge, while Zhou's eldest son Zhou Bin and his wife Jia Xiaoye testified in a video played during the trial as evidence, state-run news agency Xinhua reported.

Wu, 52, was the chairman of the Zhongxu Investment Corporation based in Chengdu , Sichuan. Under the banner of Zhongxu, his business empire covered a wide range of industries including power station construction, real estate development and entertainment.

Wu reportedly took care of money laundering for Zhou Yongkang and his son.

The court ruled that Zhou had taken bribes worth 731,100 yuan (HK$923,000) from his close ally Jiang Jiemin in return for "seeking profits" for Wu Bing, Ding Xuefeng, Wen Qingshan, Zhou Hao and Jiang.

Wu, Ding, Wen and Zhou Hao also offered bribes worth 129 million yuan to Zhou's eldest son and wife, the court said.