Embattled Chongqing Communist Party chief Bo Xilai made an appearance on state television yesterday amid rampant speculation that he has tendered his resignation to the Politburo.
China Central Television's 7pm news bulletin showed Bo attending a Politburo meeting, chaired by party general secretary Hu Jintao, on Monday.
His presence cast doubt on a widely circulated report by the Hong Kong-based Information Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, which quoted anonymous sources as saying that Bo had offered to resign from his Chongqing post at the meeting. It also said Hunan party chief Zhou Qiang, a close ally of Hu, would replace Bo as Chongqing's leader in May.
The report did not say if the meeting had deliberated on Bo's offer. TV footage showed Bo at the meeting and taking notes, suggesting that he is still a Politburo member.
Chongqing's municipal government press office and the municipality's party propaganda department denied the Hong Kong group's report, saying Bo had returned from Beijing and was back at work as usual yesterday.
A Foreign Ministry spokesman said he was not aware of Bo's rumoured resignation.