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Subscribe to RSSChina's Communist party unleashed its full weight against former politician Bo Xilai and his wife at the center of a murder scandal Wednesday. ITN's Angus Walker reports from Beijing.
LONDON—China’s biggest political scandal in decades has embroiled not just the U.S. but increasingly the U.K.
The series of publicly known events culminating in the removal of rising political star Bo Xilai from power appeared to have been triggered by an attempt by Bo’s former police chief to seek asylum in a U.S. consulate in Chengdu back in February.
However, it looks increasingly like it was the death of a British businessman last year that set off the chain of events. And while it might not lead to any firings in the U.K. government, it certainly appears to have ruffled feathers in London.
Murder in Chonqging?
Last November, Neil Heywood — a 41-year old Briton who liked to hint at a life of intrigue (his license plate contained the numbers 007) — was found dead last November in his hotel room in the southwestern municipality of Chongqing, which at the time was under Bo’s stewardship. The cause of death was initially reported as cardiac arrest from overconsumption of alcohol.
Now it looks as though Bo’s ex-crimefighter, Wang Lijun, had evidence suggesting that Bo’s wife, Gu Kailai had engineered Heywood’s death.
Leon Neal / AFP - Getty Images
Chinese Communist Party official Li Changchun and British Prime Minister David Cameron met at Downing Street Tuesday.
New details on Tuesday about Wang’s frantic 36-hour stay at the U.S. consulate in Chengdu in February suggest he tried to give American diplomats information implicating Gu in Heywood’s death and demonstrating that Bo had tried to prevent an investigation into his wife’s role.
In a startling revelation, also on Tuesday, sources close to the Chinese investigation told Reuters that Heywood had threatened to expose Gu’s plan to move large sums of money overseas after a dispute over his cut from the transaction.
Chinese officials began stepping up their inquiry into Heywood’s death after Wang was whisked away by Beijing authorities following his visit to the U.S. consulate.
Scandal sends China's netizens into afeeding frenzy
In Britain, opposition members of Parliament (MPs) have raised questions whether the U.K. government had been too cautious or slow to raise concerns in the case because it did not want to jeopardize commercial prospects in China.
During Tuesday’s Parliament session, Foreign Secretary William Hague presented MPs with a detailed timetable of events surrounding Heywood’s death.
“We have demanded an investigation. The Chinese authorities have agreed to conduct an investigation. There’s been a further discussion of that this afternoon,” he told MPs. “
Hague said Foreign Office officials first heard in mid-January of rumors circulating amongst British expats in China.
But it wasn’t until a month later — a day after Wang’s ill-fated visit to the U.S. consulate — that officials flagged the case with Hague and other ministers back in London.
British government under heat
Hague’s appearance in Parliament coincided with a visit to 10 Downing Street by one of China’s top ministers, Li Changchun.
Li — the propaganda chief and a member of the all-powerful Communist Party Politburo Standing Committee — held a meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron, who raised the matter with him.
In an abrupt departure from the earlier muted approach, Cameron has promised to demand more from the Chinese on Heywood’s death, which has become tabloid fodder over here. Cameron also read the riot act to his intelligence chiefs.
The Foreign Office has declined to comment further on Li’s meeting or the situation regarding Heywood.
The story, in the meantime, continues to rivet the public in Britain and in China.
“I guess it’s just a good story for normal people,” said an overseas Chinese national now living in London who only wanted to be identified as Lucy. “Murder, high-powered officials, it’s got all the ingredients.”
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Why are they yelling at us and never date a cougar as the above thread suggests. They all have severe problems.
britian didnt want make fuss so they dont upset communist china are u serious is this comming down to point that many nations bowing to china and show down with china will happen soon we have to build up our navy and airforce more cause dont list to those in the country saying we need to put less in military because what would happen if china did try to attack us someday and dont say they wont over trade that connects us but in reality they do what they want. China is major threat to us and we need leave dirt holes middle east alone cause it feels like we just wasting our time there when real threats like dictatorship russia is and china
KrazyD111, you have obviously a very warpped mind that has become crusted in crap. Your opinions are far from reallity in regards to China. I can accept your thoughts on the Middle East, however. You have hatred built up for god knows what reasons, but people like you are the ones who can stimulate troubles simply due to pure ignorance. Get a handle of things before it is much too late.
"War [with the United States] is inevitable; we cannot avoid it," said Chinese
Defense Minister Gen. Chi Haotian in 2000. "The issue is that the Chinese armed
forces must control the initiative in this war."
For a up-date on China's Military 'THE RISING SEA DRAGON IN ASIA'.. see - http://www.jeffhead.com/redseadragon/
China's missile defense is based on the DF-21d, which has the capability to push the US Navy out of the China Sea and almost to Australia...
"China can reach out and hit the U.S. well before the U.S. can get close enough to the mainland to hit back," said Toshi Yoshihara, an associate professor at the U.S. Naval War College. He said U.S. ships have only twice been that vulnerable — against Japan in World War II and against Soviet bombers in the Cold War... see http://weapons.technology.youngester.com/2010/08/df-21d-chinese-aircraft-carrier-killing.html
China, just pay back the money you own us from the bonds you sold 30 years ago.
Why can't I post comments from China??
You just did, dimmwitt.
"Lucy" is afraid to give her real name even though she is in London. That should tell you something. I am American currently living in China and can give my real name. Let's see if this gets posted!
This is how they refute news in China. Simply show how great the nighlife is in Chongqing. Click here:
I guess that didn't work, so you'll have to look for CCTV news yourself. It shouldn't be hard to find "nightlife in Chongqing."
I guess there's corruption the world over! It's too bad we can't have peace & tranquility for everyone! Wouldn't that be wonderful! All efforts devouted to making everyone happy!
Read UK Guardian-other papers FT -they are in English. Bo Xilai's wife has numerous investments outside China- she won a case in US too. Their son is studying at Harvard,MA,USA- Neil Heywood was married to a Chinese and they have 2 kids. He always maintained multiple contacts with British Embassa/other g'ment people while residing in China ca. 10 yrs- lately he expressed his concern for his own safety and the safety of his family-whom he wanted to leave China. His closest relatives bought his death being due to excess alcoholism until 'his friends' rebutted this-he was not a drinker. His cremation was carried out and then 'his friends' started questioning the circumstances of his death in the hotelroom. Some Chinese have already stated that his death was due to cyanide, and the poisoning was ordered by Mme Xilai- the China's Jackie Kennedy. It is a case of espionage,riches from outside China investment secreted abroad and the Chinese 'Mafia' exposed by Bo Xilai's 'forces'. Corruption,sex,espionage -Chinese style.
I advice everyone to go to;http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/328294/20120415/gu-bo-scandal-.htm to get the Business & Law news-background on Gu Kailai-US lawsuit/Heywood etc.
Anyone else wondering why the link to this from the world news page was in caps and large font?
Neil Heywood and investors should understand their risks by working with Chinese in China. Theft, fraud, corruption and manipulation are rampant. It is part of business. Why do we put up with it? Because China buys our debts and/or is a major trading partner, a relationship we don't want to mess with. China greets U.S. companies and investors with a smile and then stabs them in the back: Cisco, AMSC, Nike, Apple, etc.
Management keeps sending jobs to China and nothing seems to slow down. While suing everything that move in America and the world, former U.S. Senator Chris Dodd is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Motion Picture Association of America and Hollywood secure a major relationship with China and India, provide a more equitable share of revenue for U.S. film companies.
Time to close chapter on China and move on.
bo xi lai is good people . i know of the family. 3rd time i have tried to post. just home from iraq aug 2011 and i cant exercise my 1st amendment. obama and his people want to see the fall of china. i know, my wife and OUR family is chinese. lets see if this posts. marine vet (7th mar regt, 29 palms ca) if i cant post , somethings wrong here.
As you can see, nothing wrong here; you posted and I am able to respond to you post. So yu disagree with Chinese government oficials? Bo and his wife are far from "good people", reason they are in the jail. You have seen death in Iraq, so I guess one man poisoned in China doesen't mater to you. I applaud the Chinese government, they are showing that no one is above the law in China.
Being Great at Your Job Can Be a Dangerous Thing in China. Hard work and competence should be rewarded, but that's not what happens in Chinese government. Sometimes when you do great work at a CCCP (Chinese Communist Party) you not only get shafted but kicked to the curb.
Many Chinese Communist members sold out their bosses and families to advance their agenda and climb up ladders all the time. They are holding on to power as long as they humanly possible to enrich themselves and families.
Popular Premier Chu Enlai and many honorable Chinese heroes ended up in a tragic tragedy and their families suffered for many years by the hands of their own comrades. Now Bo Xilai is a best example and he is ready. If you work at a job toxic enough to fire you for being excellent. Bo Xilai and his allies should always be prepared for the worst, even if you're the best.
Chinese Government are old style and does not fit to run country anymore. Communist Party and its elites are only for themselves, grab as much as they can. It is a matter of time. Change is comming for good. CCCP surround themselves with cronies.
Bo Xilian stands out the most with his cunning leadership, different styles and approaches. Nobody is perfect and the laws is in the hands of winners.
Chinese premier Wen Jiabao, President Hu Jintao, and top CCCP leaders betrayed and even sold out their own mentors or bosses.
Remember the Gang of Four after the poor victims and their families, there will be a mass campaigns against Bo Xilian, his allies, and huge purges within the next 6 months until new China leadership is in place. History is about to repeat itself.
Ancord,
you have forgotten to mention that Bo and his wife killed someone and accepted
lot of money from special interests that is the real reason of his demise. So
you must be stupid or just passing lies around.
So far, there is no evidence that Bo and his wife killed someone and accepted lot of money. But I know for the facts that most of the Chinese officials are corrupted. Politicans lie, cheat, and steal. It is a fact of life in China and the rest of the world.
Bo Xilian got the job done and got much respect than the cronies. He is more popular and respect by Chinese people in a region. While CCCP elites talking about corruption year after year, if Bo becomes Chinese leader, he and his team will clean up China and improve relationship with the world as leader. As long as Chinese people are happy, it is matter. Bo Xilian has gut, ambition, and leadership.
One more thing: whether you agree or disagree, Bo Xilian can get the jobs done with solid results for Chinese people to keep orders, clean up mafia and corruption at national level for good, improve local economy and living standard, etc. This is exactly what China needs for the next 10 years to transform themselves into a powerful country.
As the story is about to unfold, this is a biggest obstacle for China to move forward quickly and Mr. Bo Xilian becomes a liability.
Ancord,
one more thing; you are talking about ancient history. You could have mention atrocities
in Africa killing of innocent in Iraq by USA troops and more. World and China
is evolving and they are getting better and better. There is still one more thing;
people of China are living by different, in my opinion, better values that you
are promoting.