Power struggle in China to begin
An apparent dismissal of Chongqing chief Bo Xilai.China's communist
party announced Bo's removal on Thursday from his post
as the party's Chongqing Municipal Committee Secretary. Vice Premier
Zhang Dejiang will replace him.Bo is charged with negligence of duty in
supervising his
close aide at the time, former vice mayor Wang Lijun, who is under
investigation by authorities.Wang fled to the US Consulate in Chengdu,
near Chongqing, last month, but was rejected for asylum by the US.
Chongqing television reported on Thursday night that Li Yuanchao, the head of the organization department of the party's central committee, criticized Bo and praised his successor Zhang. It quoted Li as saying that Bo's actions has caused serious problems.Citizens in Chongqing expressed differing reactions, with some supporting Bo and others pushing for his removal.
Security authorities in Chongqing appear to be nervous over the media's attention to the matter.
Bo was supposed to be a member of an intra-party faction backing Vice President Xi Jinping, who is most likely to become China's top leader at the party convention later this year. Before the convention, observers say political maneuvering is expected to intensify between the pro-Bo faction and one composed of officials from the Communist Youth League -- the current President Hu Jintao's power base.
Experts say the story behind Bo's dismissal is the rift between the communist party's 2 internal factions -- one close to President Hu Jintao and other supporting leader-in-waiting Xi Jinping.
Hong Kong-based China expert Willy Lam says the power struggle continues, although Vice President Xi is most likely to become China's top leader, succeeding Hu towards the end of this year.
He notes the fierce rivalry between senior officials originated from the division between the Communist Youth League -- Hu's political base -- and a faction backing Xi, which is made up of the children of old party leaders.Lam notes that Bo, who as sacked, and the incoming party chief of Chongqing, Zhang Dejiang, are both thought to be close to former President Jiang Zemin.He said the new appointment appears to be aimed at controlling political tumult in Chongqing and stabilizing the situation in the large city. Media agencies
Chongqing television reported on Thursday night that Li Yuanchao, the head of the organization department of the party's central committee, criticized Bo and praised his successor Zhang. It quoted Li as saying that Bo's actions has caused serious problems.Citizens in Chongqing expressed differing reactions, with some supporting Bo and others pushing for his removal.
Security authorities in Chongqing appear to be nervous over the media's attention to the matter.
Bo was supposed to be a member of an intra-party faction backing Vice President Xi Jinping, who is most likely to become China's top leader at the party convention later this year. Before the convention, observers say political maneuvering is expected to intensify between the pro-Bo faction and one composed of officials from the Communist Youth League -- the current President Hu Jintao's power base.
Experts say the story behind Bo's dismissal is the rift between the communist party's 2 internal factions -- one close to President Hu Jintao and other supporting leader-in-waiting Xi Jinping.
Hong Kong-based China expert Willy Lam says the power struggle continues, although Vice President Xi is most likely to become China's top leader, succeeding Hu towards the end of this year.
He notes the fierce rivalry between senior officials originated from the division between the Communist Youth League -- Hu's political base -- and a faction backing Xi, which is made up of the children of old party leaders.Lam notes that Bo, who as sacked, and the incoming party chief of Chongqing, Zhang Dejiang, are both thought to be close to former President Jiang Zemin.He said the new appointment appears to be aimed at controlling political tumult in Chongqing and stabilizing the situation in the large city. Media agencies
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