Opinion | Myriad reasons behind transparency of Bo Xilai's trial

The trial of Bo Xilai, though arguably China's most closely watched court case in decades, was widely expected to be a highly scripted and predictable affair with a selected group of officials, family members, and state media journalists in attendance but otherwise closed to the public.

It would be followed by a national television news broadcast showing the defendant admitting to the charges, and later a judge reading out a predetermined verdict, if the previous trials of high-ranking Communist Party officials can be any guide.

But Bo's trial, which started last Thursday, has taken on the characteristics of a political thriller film, replete with intriguing twists and lurid details, captivating not just mainlanders but much of the world as well. In a surprise move, the central leadership has allowed developments of the trial to be reported on a court microblog and through social media updates by state media organisations.

Many people have noted that Bo's trial is not being televised as was the trial of the Gang of Four in 1980. The Jinan court has been providing censored - though fairly complete - transcripts of the proceedings, but far from what state media is portraying as a "live feed".

Nevertheless, the amount of information being released is extraordinary and surprising. The detailed revelations of how Bo and his family members took bribes, and enjoyed a privileged life of private jets flights, a French villa and rare animal meat have the mainland's online community hanging on every word.

The most dramatic development has been Bo's combative stand, mounting a spirited defence against all charges, calling his wife insane and a liar, accusing one businessman who claimed to have bribed him of "selling his soul", and labelling Wang Lijun , once his right-hand man who later turned against him, as "two-faced". Bo said that an earlier confession given to the investigators of the party's top anti-graft watchdog, was coerced.