Beijingers said corrupt former party secretary Chen Xitong should have got more than 16 years in jail for his crimes.
'He should have been shot, not jailed,' said a taxi driver. 'During the Korean War there were two Long Marchers who diverted money to themselves and Mao [Zedong] had them executed.' Many Beijingers said Chen was given a light sentence because the Communist Party dealt gently with members who committed crimes.
Some taxi drivers questioned whether Chen would serve his full term.
'Chen will never serve 16 years. He'll serve a couple of years, the political climate will change and then he'll be released,' said one. He said Chen was just a little fish and he wanted to see bigger players arrested and made examples of.
A shopkeeper said: 'The Communist Party has its own crooks but they're treated by the party so much better than other crooks.
'The party gives them too much face. If some gang member was found to be guilty of stealing a lot of money he would be executed and I don't see any reason why party members should get special treatment.