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Chongqing leader Bo Xilai speaks on deputy scandal | Chongqing leader Bo Xilai speaks on deputy scandal |
(40 minutes later) | |
By Michael Bristow BBC News, Beijing | By Michael Bristow BBC News, Beijing |
A Chinese politician has spoken about a high-profile scandal that has led to intense speculation and wild rumours. | A Chinese politician has spoken about a high-profile scandal that has led to intense speculation and wild rumours. |
Bo Xilai, in charge in the city of Chongqing, said he was surprised to learn that his ex-police chief had run off to a US consulate. | Bo Xilai, in charge in the city of Chongqing, said he was surprised to learn that his ex-police chief had run off to a US consulate. |
Many suspect the policeman went there to seek asylum. | Many suspect the policeman went there to seek asylum. |
The incident could affect Mr Bo's chances of promotion later this year, when the Chinese Communist Party changes its top leaders. | The incident could affect Mr Bo's chances of promotion later this year, when the Chinese Communist Party changes its top leaders. |
In public at least, Chinese politics are sedate and predicable. But this scandal has flipped this world upside down. | In public at least, Chinese politics are sedate and predicable. But this scandal has flipped this world upside down. |
It began when Chongqing's popular police chief, Wang Lijun, turned up at the US consulate in Chengdu, a few hours drive from where he worked. | It began when Chongqing's popular police chief, Wang Lijun, turned up at the US consulate in Chengdu, a few hours drive from where he worked. |
He stayed a whole day and was only persuaded to leave after Chongqing's mayor dashed to the scene to "talk him round". | He stayed a whole day and was only persuaded to leave after Chongqing's mayor dashed to the scene to "talk him round". |
Mr Wang emerged from the consulate and into the waiting arms of the police. He is now under investigation. | Mr Wang emerged from the consulate and into the waiting arms of the police. He is now under investigation. |
Bo Xilai was involved because he had brought the dashing police chief to Chongqing to crack down on organised crime. | Bo Xilai was involved because he had brought the dashing police chief to Chongqing to crack down on organised crime. |
After a long silence, Mr Bo has now spoken about the incident, answering questions from journalists at a meeting on the sidelines of China's annual parliamentary session. | After a long silence, Mr Bo has now spoken about the incident, answering questions from journalists at a meeting on the sidelines of China's annual parliamentary session. |
He said he did not imagine Mr Wang would run off. It came suddenly. | He said he did not imagine Mr Wang would run off. It came suddenly. |
"I feel like I put my trust in the wrong person," he added, speaking at a meeting of Chongqing delegates to the parliament, officially called the National People's Congress (NPC). | "I feel like I put my trust in the wrong person," he added, speaking at a meeting of Chongqing delegates to the parliament, officially called the National People's Congress (NPC). |
Mr Bo said he was co-operating with the investigation into his former police chief, although he said he was himself was not implicated. | Mr Bo said he was co-operating with the investigation into his former police chief, although he said he was himself was not implicated. |
Leadership change | Leadership change |
This is a sensitive time for Chinese leaders, who are preparing for a once-in-a-decade reshuffle at the top of the party and the government. | This is a sensitive time for Chinese leaders, who are preparing for a once-in-a-decade reshuffle at the top of the party and the government. |
Bo Xilai has been tipped for promotion, but many think his connection to this scandal will dent his chances of getting a top job. | Bo Xilai has been tipped for promotion, but many think his connection to this scandal will dent his chances of getting a top job. |
Mr Bo seems aware of this possibility and has kept a lower profile at this parliamentary session than in previous years. | Mr Bo seems aware of this possibility and has kept a lower profile at this parliamentary session than in previous years. |
Meetings of provincial delegates to the NPC are usually open to the press, but only a few hand-picked reporters were allowed to attend the Chongqing gathering. Others were stopped from entering by security guards. | Meetings of provincial delegates to the NPC are usually open to the press, but only a few hand-picked reporters were allowed to attend the Chongqing gathering. Others were stopped from entering by security guards. |
Mr Bo is usually happy in the limelight. | Mr Bo is usually happy in the limelight. |
The Chongqing party chief also failed to attend an important NPC meeting on Thursday, leading to questions about the reason why. | |
I had a cough and was not feeling well, was Mr Bo's comment on Friday. | I had a cough and was not feeling well, was Mr Bo's comment on Friday. |
It seems a weak excuse as this was not just any gathering. It was a meeting of the Chinese parliament, and all Mr Bo's colleagues were there. | It seems a weak excuse as this was not just any gathering. It was a meeting of the Chinese parliament, and all Mr Bo's colleagues were there. |
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