China showcases Bo Xilai trial to highlight anti-graft campaign

BEIJING: The just-concluded high-profile trial of disgraced top Communist Party leader Bo Xilai has demonstrated China's determination to combat corruption in high places, the official media commented today.


Commentaries in the state-run media say Bo's case for the first time focussed on trial proceedings where the accused doggedly defended himself making it a unique case as generally it was presumed that verdicts were decided more at the investigation level than at the trial stage.

"The trial for bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power involving Bo was open, transparent and legal, with the proceedings focused on facts, evidence and the law, a commentary in state-run Xinhua news agency said.

The Jinan Intermediate People's Court which heard Bo's case said the verdict would be announced at a later stage.

"The trial once again showed China's clear stance and resolution to fight corruption with the rule of law, commentary by ruling Communist Party-run People's Daily said.

The commentary said that the handling of the case, from Bo's expulsion from the party and public office, transferring him to judicial organs, to hearing the case in an open and transparent manner, has been advanced along the track of the rule of law from the very beginning.

During the five-day trial, the Jinan court allowed journalists from state-run media to attend besides Bo's relatives.

But mostly importantly, the court periodically released the proceedings through its microblog enabling the local and foreign media to report on the case extensively, the commentary said.

Experts say this is the first such move which was also projected as the new Chinese leadership's attempt to fight corruption in high places.

Bo, 64, a politburo member of the ruling Communist Party and the head of Chongqing city, was sacked last year after allegations surfaced of his wife Gu Kailai's involvement in the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood in November 2011.

He was also removed from the ruling party following allegations of bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power against him.