Chongqing people doubt charges of abuse, graft

Despite efforts by prosecutors in Jinan to cast Bo Xilai as abusive and corrupt, the trial appears to have only increased his already substantial popularity in Chongqing, where he reigned supreme for five years.

Many of the southwestern municipality's 29 million residents have been glued to their computers, tablets and smartphones for the past three days, intently following evidence presented in the Shandong provincial capital, some 1,200 kilometres to the northeast.

Some are saddened to see the once high-flying politician, who is still remembered fondly for his efforts to crack down on crime and improve the economy, accused of crimes that could lead to a heavy penalty.

Many, such as Yang Jian, a retiree in her 50s, remained unconvinced by the evidence presented in court and have been inspired by Bo's spirited defence.

Yang said nothing she had seen during her frequent checks of the online trial feed had reduced her fondness for Bo and what he did for the city during his tenure as party secretary from 2007 to last year.

"I just don't believe someone with passion for the poor could be as corrupted and misbehaving as the court says."

Yang noted that her family personally benefited from Bo's push for affordable housing when they received a public rental home in 2011. "So no matter what they said about him, I know how I feel about him from the bottom of my heart."