Fall of Bo Xilai could boost progress of political reform, say analysts

The leadership's handling of the Bo Xilai saga invites public scepticism about the one-party system and the legitimacy of its rule, some analysts say.

But a thorough exposé of the worst scandal in decades could help foster political reform after the new leadership is installed in November, with some saying the latest developments are a sign of victory for the reformist camp.

Zhang Lifan, a political affairs analyst, said: "Senior party figures have been convicted of corruption and other wrongdoings before, but it is extremely rare for one to be accused of serial crimes."

A statement released on Friday by the decision-making Politburo said Bo had repeatedly "violated party discipline" over a career dating to his days as mayor of the northeast port city of Dalian from 1993 to 2001. The violations continued through his time as governor of Liaoning province, as commerce minister and as party chief in Chongqing.

Analysts agreed that the Bo saga had shed more light than any previous case on the deep-rooted flaws in the one-party rule system.

Zhang Ming, a political scientist and commentator with Renmin University, said: "The effort to disgrace Bo could foster deeper scepticism among the public over the system and worsen the ideological crisis among party members, despite the leadership's intent to crack down on corruption, with no mercy shown even to once-favoured officials and 'princelings'."

China has generated vast wealth through market reforms. But when riches are amassed in a one-party system, there is opportunity for corruption.