Honestly, this case is like a crash course in modern Chinese politics and society. It’s got everything except mistresses and a bloody good riot. I’m expecting the mistresses shortly. For now, here’s the latest from Chongqing native Xujun Eberlien:
First, Wang Lijun was not seeking asylum with the US as some have guessed. He was running away from Bo Xilai and seeking the protection of Beijing's Party Central, and he used the US consulate as a safe house, possibly also a message relay point. He waited an entire day until the people sent from Beijing arrived, at which point he walked out of the US consulate "of his own volition," as state department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland put it.
Wang then walked into a melee between two forces waiting outside: Seventy police wagons sent by Bo Xilai, and representatives of State Security sent from Beijing. The two parties scuffled and argued about who would take Wang Lijun into custody. In the end, Wang's plan worked: he was escorted to Beijing instead of Chongqing.
Wang apparently had the goods on Bo’s family shifting assets out of the country. Elsewhere, the case has been linked to an absconding businessman with military connections and to a corruption scandal in Liaoning Province, the old stamping ground of both Bo and Wang.
UPDATE: Danwei has a purported open letter from Wang, cursing out his old boss. I think this is in the way of being the Chinese version of one of those confessions they used to sell at public hangings in Britain, but it certainly sums up what a lot of people think of Bo Xilai.
It’s got everything except mistresses and a bloody good riot. I’m expecting the mistresses shortly.
"It's all over bar the shouting. I'll be arranging that later." - Groucho
Posted by: Phil | February 10, 2012 at 01:49 PM
the Chinese version of one of those confessions they used to sell at public hangings in Britain
Wouldn't "self-criticism" be a more recent and local comparison?
Posted by: Phil | February 10, 2012 at 04:08 PM
So Bo's not looking too good for the PSC then? Maybe both Wang and Bo are holed below the waterline these days. Zhang Gaoli to take the 9th place?
Posted by: Steve Williams | February 11, 2012 at 02:34 PM