A leading mainland economist and market-reform pioneer has criticised the so-called 'Chongqing model'' championed by its disgraced party leader, Bo Xilai , saying the policy was a setback for the rule of law and market economics.
Wu Jinglian , one of China's best-known liberal economists, said the former Chongqing party chief's campaign against organised crime had violated the rule of law while his 'populist' economic policy defied the basic principles of a market economy.
Wu, 82, said China's political reform should focus on three things: rule of law, democracy and constitutional government.
But he said rule of law was the first priority among the three, and Bo's anti-triad campaign had ignored it.
'I am relatively concerned about the situation in Chongqing, where legal experts from academia had voiced concerns about practices that damage the rule of law,' he said. 'This is a very serious problem and the rule of law is the absolute bottom line.'
Bo, a Politburo member widely regarded as one of more charismatic politicians who, until recently, was seen to be manoeuvring for promotion in the upcoming party congress, was removed from the top party post in the southwestern municipality on March 15. His abrupt sacking was ostensibly linked to the scandal involving his police chief and former trusted ally Wang Lijun , who last month fled to the US consulate in Chengdu but was turned over to state security and has not been seen since.