Meng Hongwei, former vice-minister of public security and the ex-president of Interpol, appears at the Tianjin No 1 Intermediate People's Court on June 20, 2019. (Photo: chinacourt.gov.cn)

Meng Hongwei, former vice-minister of public security and the ex-president of Interpol, pleaded guilty to accepting a bribe of 14.46 million yuan ($2.1 million) during his trial at the Tianjin No 1 Intermediate People's Court on Thursday.

Meng, also former head of China Coast Guard, was charged with taking advantage of the perks and power associated with his posts to get others jobs and promotions in return for bribes paid either in cash or other assets.

During the trial, the court fully listened to the defense statements of Meng and his lawyer to protect his legitimate rights, court officials said.

According to the court, Meng showed repentance during the hearing, and the verdict will be announced at a later date.

Meng, 65, was elected president of Interpol, based in Lyon, France, in 2016. He was the first Chinese to take the post.

After taking the job leading Interpol, he still kept the position of vice-minister of public security in China.

In October, Meng was placed under investigation by the National Supervisory Commission for "serious violation of laws" and he resigned from his Interpol post. He was also investigated for violating Party discipline by the Communist Party of China's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

According to the CCDI, he violated Party rules and didn't truthfully report his personal matters to the Party. He neither cooperated with the Party's investigation nor implemented the major decisions made by the CPC Central Committee.

It said he used his position to improperly gain privileges and wasted public money to finance a luxurious life for his family. He was accused of using his job influence to help his wife find jobs that also provided improper benefits.

In March, he was expelled from the Party and removed from his vice-minister post.

"Meng seriously damaged the Party's image and harmed the country's vital interests, resulting in very negative consequences, so he should be seriously punished," the CCDI said in a previous statement.