[BEIJING] A former general manager of Chinese energy giant Sinopec Group admitted to accepting 33 million yuan (S$6.764 million) in bribes, China's anti-corruption watchdog said.

President Xi Jinping launched a sweeping crackdown on deep-rooted corruption after assuming power four years ago, ensnaring top politicians, leaders of state enterprises and senior bankers.

Wang Tianpu, an oil industry veteran, appeared in court on Tuesday pleading guilty to charges of corruption and accepting bribes, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) said in a short statement on its website late on Tuesday.

The statement said the court is yet to hand down a verdict.

Sinopec Group is the parent of Sinopec Corp, Asia's largest oil refiner.

Wang has already been investigated by the party's internal anti-corruption watchdog and will almost certainly be found guilty, as Chinese courts are controlled by the part and do not challenges its accusations.

REUTERS