Looks like the leftist faction has lost and China will push on with reforms and market capitalism http://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/19/world/asia/china-grant-bo-xilai/index.html War of gods' captivates China By Stan Grant, CNN March 19, 2012 -- Updated 0849 GMT (1649 HKT) The fight is a political drama that has gripped the entire country. The gods in question are the secretive inner circle of the Communist Party. What reads like a big-screen political thriller has thrust Chongqing, a city of more than 30 million people, into the spotlight. Last week the party turned on one of its own, sacking Chongqing's Chief, Bo Xilai. But Bo is not some faceless official, he is what the Chinese call a "princeling." Tall, handsome and charismatic, he was widely expected to become one of the exclusive nine members of the Politburo's all-powerful standing committee later this year. He fashioned himself as "redder than red." Communist slogans sprung up around Chongqing and people were urged to sing cultural revolution-era songs. The removal of Mr. Bo is widely seen as a major blow to the "new left," a loose collection of academics and lower-ranking officials, who advocated a return to Maoist values and a strong role for the state in economic and political development. USA Today reported that Boâs dismissal âaims a very substantial blow to so-called leftists.â And the current eraâs economic guru, Nouriel Roubini, tweeted, âChina experiences ides of March as neo-Maoist leader Bo Xilai is axed. A positive sign that reformist forces are gaining an upper hand.â
U.S. intelligence agencies monitoring Chinaâs Internet say that from March 14 to Wednesday bloggers circulated alarming reports of tanks entering Beijing and shots being fired in the city as part of what is said to have been a high-level political battle among party leaders - and even a possible military coup. The Internet discussions included photos posted online of tanks and other military vehicles moving around Beijing. The reports followed the ouster last week of senior Politburo member and Chongqing Party Secretary Bo Xilai, who was linked to corruption, but who is said to remain close to Chinaâs increasingly nationalistic military. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/mar/21/inside-the-ring-436080940/
interesting...and this guy's dad is a war hero. It can only be bad news for China if the leftists seize control of the govt