"Sinocism is the Presidential Daily Brief for China hands"- Evan Osnos, New Yorker Correspondent and National Book Award Winner
Unless the security services know exactly what was discussed by Wang Lijun inside the US consulate in Chengdu, and the contents of any documents or data he gave the US, Bo Xilai may find it impossible to gain promotion to the PBSC. And even if they do, his career is likely over.
We know the CCP is paranoid about “foreign forces and plots”, so how could it promote someone who best case may be easily embarrassed by its greatest strategic rival, worst case is susceptible to blackmail?
Wang probably knew he was a dead man and decided to ensure Bo went down with him, and he understood that delivering incriminating and/or embarrassing material to the US would ensure that Bo’s political ascendancy was over, regardless of attempts at damage control and jockeying.
Given Bo’s prominence and family background, we should not expect him to be arrested, or for any sudden moves made against him. More likely there is some meaningless title in his future, and business difficulties ahead for his wife and children.
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It might also be interesting to guess whether this “incident” will bring down those who were backing Bo, like Zhou YK and JZM.
Will it present a good opportunity for HJT to rid off the influences of JZM? Or, how will XJP use it for his own benefit?
obama made the decision not to accept a wang lijun defection?
would have been more interesting, with more possibilities, if he had allowed it.
JZM has come under strong criticism from Central Committee members for continuing to interfere in government affairs after stepping down in 2003. On Oct. 1, 2009, during the National Day parade, there were more camera shots of JZM than HJT. For HJT, I’m sure that it was a deeply humiliating experience.
HJT has come under widespread criticism for not acting as his own man during his 10 years. My guess is that his response is that he can at least cut off JZM’s hand and those of his allies, and make sure that his successors have a free hand as they deal with the challenges the new leadership faces.