I think this is only breaking this evening. Pretty striking. Any thoughts China-watchers?
QuoteChinese politician Bo Xilai's wife accused of murdering UK businessman
Gu Kailai, wife of suspended Chongqing party secretary, 'highly suspected' of killing Neil Heywood
Tania Branigan in Beijing
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 10 April 2012 17.30 BST
The wife of the controversial Chinese leadership contender Bo Xilai is "highly suspected" of murdering the British businessman Neil Heywood, state media have reported, in the biggest scandal to hit the party for decades.
Gu Kailai and Zhang Xiaojun, who worked at the family's home, have been transferred to judicial authorities, the official news agency Xinhua reported.
Bo, once tipped to reach the nation's most powerful political body in this autumn's power transition, has been suspended from his party positions because he is suspected of "serious disciplinary violations", Xinhua reported separately. The suspension effectively ends his political career. He was dismissed as party secretary of Chongqing last month.
Britain had already asked China to investigate the death of Heywood in Chongqing last November after concerns were raised that the circumstances were suspicious. The 41-year-old businessman's family had said they believed he died of natural causes.
The statement said: "According to investigation results, Gu Kailai, wife of comrade Bo Xilai, and their son were on good terms with Heywood. However, they had conflict over economic interests, which had been intensified .
"According to reinvestigation results, the existing evidence indicated that Heywood died of homicide, of which Gu Kailai and Zhang Xiaojun, an orderly at Bo's home, are highly suspected."
It said the investigation had begun when Bo's ally the former police chief Wang Lijun fled to the US embassy in Chengdu in February, and flagged up Heywood's death. Wang is now under investigation by Chinese officials.
The statement added: "According to senior officials from related authorities, China is a socialist country ruled by law, and the sanctity and authority of law shall not be tramp[l]ed. Whoever has broken the law will be handled in accordance with law and will not be tolerated, no matter who is involved."
Rumours that Bo had been ousted began circulating early on Tuesday, and officials were called to meetings in the afternoon, where they were briefed on events. The 62-year-old son of a Communist "immortal" had climbed steadily through the party ranks, and many had believed he could reach the top political body, the politburo standing committee, this autumn.
The businessman's cause of death was initially reported to be alcohol poisoning. The body was cremated very shortly afterwards though, so British requests for another investigation were somewhat stymied :mellow:
I'm following this very closely (and cheering). There's no love for Bo or his people in my circles.
Also recently, Wen Jiabao said that the students of Tiananmen Square were real patriots and that the party must listen to the people or be discarded... and this was reported in China as well. So... interesting developments.
Wow.
I have no insight whatsoever on the situation in China, but I am reading whatever I can these days.
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 10, 2012, 12:28:34 PMThe businessman's cause of death was initially reported to be alcohol poisoning. The body was cremated very shortly afterwards though, so British requests for another investigation were somewhat stymied :mellow:
I recall reading somewhere that Heywood wasn't much of a drinker at all, so the alcohol poisoning thing seemed a bit suspect - but I don't recall where so whether it has substance or is just random rumour mill swirl, I don't know.
Kind of weird that now that Bo has fallen from grace a story comes out saying "ya, his family killed that british dude"
Quote from: Jacob on April 10, 2012, 12:31:49 PM
Also recently, Wen Jiabao said that the students of Tiananmen Square were real patriots and that the party must listen to the people or be discarded... and this was reported in China as well. So... interesting developments.
Didn't he recently call the banks in China an unhelpful monopoly that should be broken up? I imagine that would be a direct threat to a lot of economic interests in the Chinese elite.
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 10, 2012, 12:45:42 PMDidn't he recently call the banks in China an unhelpful monopoly that should be broken up? I imagine that would be a direct threat to a lot of economic interests in the Chinese elite.
Yeah that too. Interesting times in China, for sure.
Quote from: HVC on April 10, 2012, 12:40:49 PM
Kind of weird that now that Bo has fallen from grace a story comes out saying "ya, his family killed that british dude"
Absolutely.
Is killing the dude the thing that brought him down because he went too far somehow?
Did his family kill the dude, and that was the opening that allowed him to be brought down?
Did his family kill the dude and it didn't matter, except it's a nice "official" thing to pin on him as he is going down for unrelated reasons?
Or is his family completely innocent of the killing and it's being pinned on him for reasons of convenience?
... who knows?
Here's the official Xinhua (CCP's paper) article: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-04/10/c_131518309.htm
Quote from: XinhuaBEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese police have set up a team to reinvestigate the case that British citizen Neil Heywood was found dead in Chongqing on Nov. 15, 2011, which was alleged by Wang Lijun who entered, without authorization, the U.S. general consulate in Chengdu on Feb. 6 and stayed there, Xinhua learned from authorities.
Police authorities paid high attention to the case, and set up the team to reinvestigate the case according to law with an attitude to seek truth from facts.
According to investigation results, Bogu Kailai, wife of Comrade Bo Xilai, and their son were in good terms with Heywood. However, they had conflict over economic interests, which had been intensified.
According to reinvestigation results, the existing evidence indicated that Heywood died of homicide, of which Bogu Kailai and Zhang Xiaojun, an orderly at Bo's home, are highly suspected.
Bogu Kailai and Zhang Xiaojun have been transferred to judicial authorities on suspected crime of intentional homicide.
According to senior officials from related authorities, China is a socialist country ruled by law, and the sanctity and authority of law shall not be tramped. Whoever has broken the law will be handled in accordance with law and will not be tolerated, no matter who is involved.
Apparently unrelated, a peaceful march to protest the amalgemation of two townships in Chongqing (Bo's province until recently).
It turned violent, somehow. Just one of the thousands of "mass incidents" across China every year.
Pictures (and text in Chinese): http://www.wenxuecity.com/news/2012/04/10/1717125.html
Quote from: Jacob on April 10, 2012, 12:51:14 PMIs killing the dude the thing that brought him down because he went too far somehow?
Did his family kill the dude, and that was the opening that allowed him to be brought down?
Did his family kill the dude and it didn't matter, except it's a nice "official" thing to pin on him as he is going down for unrelated reasons?
Or is his family completely innocent of the killing and it's being pinned on him for reasons of convenience?
... who knows?
Almost regardless of this it does look like a shift of pace against Bo. But the publicity and punishment of a Politburo member like this does seem a step away from the Chinese equivalent of letting them retire to a Dacha.
Quote from: Jacob on April 10, 2012, 12:51:14 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 10, 2012, 12:40:49 PM
Kind of weird that now that Bo has fallen from grace a story comes out saying "ya, his family killed that british dude"
Or is his family completely innocent of the killing and it's being pinned on him for reasons of convenience?
I'm going with this theory. If they had this card i'd assume they'd play it first. To me it looks like they're trying to stem the backlash. i see it more like a "see, we had to do it since his family is dishonorable" type of situation.
Quote from: HVC on April 10, 2012, 01:28:43 PMI'm going with this theory. If they had this card i'd assume they'd play it first. To me it looks like they're trying to stem the backlash. i see it more like a "see, we had to do it since his family is dishonorable" type of situation.
What makes you say that this isn't the card that's being played first? Seems pretty fast that this came about.
And what are you talking about when you say "stem the backlash"?
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 10, 2012, 01:20:57 PMAlmost regardless of this it does look like a shift of pace against Bo. But the publicity and punishment of a Politburo member like this does seem a step away from the Chinese equivalent of letting them retire to a Dacha.
Yeah, definitely.
Quote from: Barrister on April 10, 2012, 12:33:00 PM
Wow.
I have no insight whatsoever on the situation in China, but I am reading whatever I can these days.
Two sources I read regularly are:
Caixin Weekly - despite the name, publishes twice a month and can be sent direct to a kindle for a modest monthly fee. The focus is on business and finance but there are regular articles on "rule of law," the internet, and the environment among others. English language but Chinese-based publication with strong reformist tendencies, though some (self?) censorship.
http://english.caixin.com/
Another is the "China Law Blog" -- http://www.chinalawblog.com/
The focus here is obviously on legal matters, with particular attention on things like drafting contracts with Chinese counterparties, company formation issues, IP protection, and dispute resolution considerations, but it also covers broader issues.
Quotewith an attitude to seek truth from facts.
Had to laugh at the need the emphasize this point.
The Chinese media has been reporting this for a few weeks, citing unofficial sources. It is now official. Apparently, they initially claimed that Heywood died of excessive consumption of alcohol. It turned out that he was a teetotaler.
Wow, and to think, Red Square was on TV last night.
I'd so bang Bai Ling. Little People's Slut.
Quote from: Barrister on April 10, 2012, 12:33:00 PM
Wow.
I have no insight whatsoever on the situation in China, but I am reading whatever I can these days.
Meh, the main characters aren't nearly as interesting as they were 20 years ago. Guys like Li Peng, now they were fun.
Quote from: Monoriu on April 10, 2012, 02:25:45 PM
The Chinese media has been reporting this for a few weeks, citing unofficial sources. It is now official. Apparently, they initially claimed that Heywood died of excessive consumption of alcohol. It turned out that he was a teetotaler.
I guess he didn't develop any tolerance for alcohol.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on April 10, 2012, 07:06:06 PM
Wow, and to think, Red Square was on TV last night.
I'd so bang Bai Ling. Little People's Slut.
You like 'em a little loopy, huh?
Quote from: Jacob on April 10, 2012, 08:43:24 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on April 10, 2012, 07:06:06 PM
Wow, and to think, Red Square was on TV last night.
I'd so bang Bai Ling. Little People's Slut.
You like 'em a little loopy, huh?
Crazy makes it interesting.
Quote from: Jacob on April 10, 2012, 12:52:06 PM
Here's the official Xinhua (CCP's paper) article: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-04/10/c_131518309.htm
Quote from: Xinhua
According to investigation results, Bogu Kailai, wife of Comrade Bo Xilai, and their son were in good terms with Heywood. However, they had conflict over economic interests, which had been intensified.
In a sign of how Kremlinologist this is the Guardian said the meaning of 'Bogu' wasn't clear. Apparently it's very rare in China for the wife to take her husband's name and Gu Kailai was well known in her own right as Gu Kailai. It suggests, perhaps, determination to tie this to Bo? I don't know :mellow:
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 11, 2012, 03:38:39 AM
Quote from: Jacob on April 10, 2012, 12:52:06 PM
Here's the official Xinhua (CCP's paper) article: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-04/10/c_131518309.htm
Quote from: Xinhua
According to investigation results, Bogu Kailai, wife of Comrade Bo Xilai, and their son were in good terms with Heywood. However, they had conflict over economic interests, which had been intensified.
In a sign of how Kremlinologist this is the Guardian said the meaning of 'Bogu' wasn't clear. Apparently it's very rare in China for the wife to take her husband's name and Gu Kailai was well known in her own right as Gu Kailai. It suggests, perhaps, determination to tie this to Bo? I don't know :mellow:
In China, the wife doesn't give up her maiden name. For example, Hilary will never be addressed as Hilary Clinton according to Chinese naming conventions.
It is however acceptable for the wife to add her husband's surname to her own, as in this case. It is actually quite popular in HK.
Speaking of names, Bo's son has a very distinctive name - Bo Gua Gua. Gua means melon. It is very uncommon to name your son as "gua", because in Chinese, the word "gua" is often associated with idiocy. Bo is already an uncommon surname. Bo Gua Gua is a name that is difficult to forget.
Boutros-Boutros.
Boutros (Peter) was his first name
Boutros-Ghali (formed by his grandfather's first name and the original surname) became his surname.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on April 10, 2012, 07:07:40 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 10, 2012, 12:33:00 PM
Wow.
I have no insight whatsoever on the situation in China, but I am reading whatever I can these days.
Meh, the main characters aren't nearly as interesting as they were 20 years ago. Guys like Li Peng, now they were fun.
I don't know - what makes it so interesting is how it all ties in to the power struggles of 20, or even 40, years ago, either from some characters being mentored by others, or in Bo's case by being the son of other high ranking figures.
Quote from: Barrister on April 11, 2012, 08:54:54 AMI don't know - what makes it so interesting is how it all ties in to the power struggles of 20, or even 40, years ago, either from some characters being mentored by others, or in Bo's case by being the son of other high ranking figures.
Well that and the fact that China can go in a number of very different directions.
Quote from: Jacob on April 11, 2012, 09:00:39 AM
Well that and the fact that China can go in a number of very different directions.
:lol:
And yes, that is a condescending :lol:
Quote from: CountDeMoney on April 11, 2012, 09:01:52 AM
Quote from: Jacob on April 11, 2012, 09:00:39 AM
Well that and the fact that China can go in a number of very different directions.
:lol:
And yes, that is a condescending :lol:
:hug:
More on Bo and Gu: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/9197833/The-rise-and-fall-of-Chinas-golden-couple.html
I read some comments. This one is an extended and rather colourful metaphor that made me think of languish:
Quote from: zhengshi3 发表评论于 2012-04-12 11:18:13Democracy and the rule of the people's law are dicks.
CCP officials are pussies.
Bo xilai is an asshole.
Pussies don't like dicks, because pussies get fucked by dicks. But dicks also fuck assholes: assholes that just want to shit on everything. Pussies may think they can deal with assholes their way. But the only thing that can fuck an asshole is a dick, with some balls. The problem with dicks is: they fuck too much or fuck when it isn't appropriate - and it takes a pussy to show them that. But sometimes, pussies can be so full of shit that they become assholes themselves... because pussies are an inch and half away from ass holes. I don't know much about this crazy, crazy world, but I do know this: If you don't let us fuck this asshole, we're going to have our dicks and pussies all covered in shit!
... I wonder if this metaphor is original, or whether it's just being reapplied from elsewhere. It's pretty evocative.
Quote from: Jacob on April 12, 2012, 01:45:19 PM
I read some comments. This one is an extended and rather colourful metaphor that made me think of languish:
Quote from: zhengshi3 发表评论于 2012-04-12 11:18:13Democracy and the rule of the people's law are dicks.
CCP officials are pussies.
Bo xilai is an asshole.
Pussies don't like dicks, because pussies get fucked by dicks. But dicks also fuck assholes: assholes that just want to shit on everything. Pussies may think they can deal with assholes their way. But the only thing that can fuck an asshole is a dick, with some balls. The problem with dicks is: they fuck too much or fuck when it isn't appropriate - and it takes a pussy to show them that. But sometimes, pussies can be so full of shit that they become assholes themselves... because pussies are an inch and half away from ass holes. I don't know much about this crazy, crazy world, but I do know this: If you don't let us fuck this asshole, we're going to have our dicks and pussies all covered in shit!
... I wonder if this metaphor is original, or whether it's just being reapplied from elsewhere. It's pretty evocative.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cV_q-mVAAA
Quote from: Fate on April 12, 2012, 01:51:50 PMhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cV_q-mVAAA
Ah. Thanks :)
I don't go to youtube while at work, but I do know I've seen / heard that rant before. Where is it from?
Team America World Police
I was thinking today that this is the first time I can remember reading things about different political factions within the Chinese leadership and different figures leading those factions. Presumably it's always been there. I was wondering if any of the Chinawatchers knew if the public knowledge of this was relatively recent or whether it had also always been there? Did everyone know that X was a moderniser or did the projection of a unified leadership work more before social media and the internet?
I don't know, but it is my impression that it is more pronounced recently.
I think it's a combination of the fact that the current leaders are weaker than Deng was (and Deng really called the shots for a long time) and modern media and the internet.
There's always been rumour and speculation about the leadership, but it was much easier to control before Weibo and other social media.
I was hoping to see some "Bo knows..." jokes in this thread. :(
Quote from: Monoriu on April 11, 2012, 04:57:15 AM
In China, the wife doesn't give up her maiden name. For example, Hilary will never be addressed as Hilary Clinton according to Chinese naming conventions.
It is however acceptable for the wife to add her husband's surname to her own, as in this case. It is actually quite popular in HK.
Not the best example as she goes officially by Hillary Rodham Clinton, that middle being a maiden name not a middle name. :D
Quote from: Tonitrus on April 13, 2012, 01:02:32 AM
I was hoping to see some "Bo knows..." jokes in this thread. :(
Make some then. :P
For Jacob: they made it official
Quoteb]Bo Xilai's wife charged with murder in death of British businessman
BEIJING — Gu Kailai, the wife of deposed Politburo official Bo Xilai, and one of her household aides have been formally charged with "intentional homicide" in the case of a deceased British businessman, Neil Heywood, the official Xinhua news agency reported Thursday.
The brief Xinhua dispatch said Gu and the aide, Zhang Xiaojun, were charged in a court in Hefei, in Anhui province, after prosecutors interrogated them and spoke to their defense team. The two were arrested on suspicion of murder last spring, triggering what has become China's most dramatic political upheaval in more than two decades.
Xinhua, quoting unidentified investigators, alleged that Gu and Zhang poisoned Heywood after Gu and Heywood had a business conflict that also involved her son. The report said Gu believed Heywood was threatening her son.
"The facts of the two defendants' crime are clear, and the evidence is irrefutable and substantial," the Xinhua report said. "Therefore, the two defendants should be charged with intentional homicide."
There was no mention by Xinhua of the fate of Bo, who was considered a high flier in the Communist Party hierarchy until his abrupt dismissal as party boss of the city of Chongqing in March. Neither Bo nor his wife has been seen publicly in recent months.
Bo, once seemingly destined for a promotion to the powerful Politburo Standing Committee, apparently has been rendered persona non grata by his potential involvement in the murder case. The saga — unfolding as the Communist Party prepares for a once-in-a-decade leadership transition — has upended China's careful political choreography and has exposed infighting and rifts within the ruling party's top ranks.
Xinhua said the court in Hefei "will hold a trial on a day to be decided." Based on Chinese practice, it is likely to be soon. There was no explanation as to why Anhui province was selected for the prosecution, because the alleged crime took place in Chongqing. But politically sensitive cases are often moved to distant locations.
The son allegedly at the center of the scandal is not named in the report but is believed to be Bo Guagua, a recent graduate of Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. He is believed to be in the United States.
"Worrying about Neil Heywood's threat to her son's personal security, Bogu Kailai along with Zhang Xiaojun, the other defendant, poisoned Neil Heywood to death," Xinhua alleged. (Since the beginning of the case, official announcements have referred to Gu Kailai by the surname "Bogu," combining Bo's name with her maiden name, Gu. The practice is not common in China but is sometimes used by Chinese abroad.)
Despite a wall of silence surrounding the case, senior Chinese officials speaking to diplomats, visiting academics and others have hinted that they wanted it settled before the opening this fall of the 18th Party Congress, which will select a new president and prime minister and fill seven vacant slots on the Politburo Standing Committee, which effectively runs the country.
One analyst of China's elite politics, Cheng Li of the Brookings Institution in Washington, noted that the timing of Thursday's announcement, just 24 hours before the opening of the London Olympics, would likely mean less public attention would be paid to the development here in China, where Bo maintains some popular support, and also in Britain, Heywood's native country.
The timing "will likely reduce some of the coverage internationally," Li said, as well as among China's active microblogging community. "Maybe 75 percent of the netizens will be turning to TV to look at the Olympics," he said.
Officials had previously suggested that Gu and the household servant would face severe judicial punishment in the Heywood killing. But there is uncertainty over how deeply Bo was involved or whether he would be punished by the courts or simply disciplined by the Communist Party.
Bo is a "princeling," the son of Communist Party veteran Bo Yibo and one of the party's few charismatic leaders. Even after his dramatic fall, he is believed to retain some residual popularity in Chongqing, where he is remembered for cleaning the streets of gangsters. He is also liked by China's small but vocal group of "new leftists," who revere Mao Zedong.
Gu, an accomplished lawyer who wrote a book on bringing successful civil lawsuits in the United States, is also a princeling. Her father was Gen. Gu Jingsheng, an early revolutionary who served as party chief in the Xinjiang region.
The saga began in February, when Wang Lijun, Bo's longtime police chief and right-hand man in Chongqing, took refuge in the U.S. consulate in the neighboring city of Chengdu.
Wang, fearing for his safety, carried with him a tale of murder and intrigue involving Gu and the Briton. After spending more than a day holed up at the consulate, Wang was escorted to Beijing by security officials. He has not been seen since.
There has been rampant speculation that Wang would be tried for treason this month.
Heywood was found dead in his Chongqing hotel room Nov. 15, and police initially said he died of heavy drinking.
The body was cremated before an autopsy was performed, but foreign media reports have been filled with speculation that Wang may have kept some hair samples or other evidence in hope of proving that Heywood was poisoned.[/quote]