Two leading Maoist websites have been temporarily shut in the latest fallout from the unfolding political crisis triggered by the recent downfall of Bo Xilai, one of the most high-profile political 'princelings'.
Both Utopia (wyzxsx.com) and Maoflag.net were ordered yesterday to be closed down for a month due to online articles that 'breached the Constitution, maliciously attacked state leaders and made irresponsible comments on the 18th Communist Party Congress', according to the statement posted on both websites.
It was the second time in less than a month that authorities have clamped down on the ultra-leftist sites, both known for criticising Beijing's reform and opening up policies and rallying support for Bo even after his abrupt sacking last month.
Mainland political analysts believe the intensified online crackdown is part of Beijing's bid to control dissenting views and online rumours regarding Bo's removal, which has unleashed the mainland's worst political crisis in decades ahead of the once-a-decade leadership succession this autumn.
They noted the move targeted not only leftist websites that continued to support the so-called Chongqing model - Bo's controversial development blueprint, which advocates a redistribution of wealth.