Chongqing's party boss dazzles with forthright maverick charm

Chongqing has long been famous for its spicy hotpots and beautiful girls - so perhaps it was only fitting that the municipality's party secretary, Bo Xilai, appeared to publicly endorse this image on the sidelines of the National People's Congress at the weekend.

'Chongqing people all have very good skin - red touched with white,' Mr Bo told members of the press, drawing a big laugh.

He said Chongqing's hotpot was good eating. 'You sweat while eating it because it's very spicy, but you just can't stop yourself. The good thing is that hotpot is not really expensive.'

Discussion of skin tone and cuisine are not typical from top communist officials during the national political meeting, but such light-hearted banter is just what dozens of journalists had been expecting when they chose to attend Chongqing's group discussion over dozens of similar meetings.

Mr Bo, a member of the Politburo - the highest executive committee of the Communist Party of China - has long been beloved by the media for his eloquence, quick wit and willingness to speak to the press.

The son of the late state leader Bo Yibo, Mr Bo was rumoured to be the top candidate for vice-premiership last year after he spent more than 20 years at city and provincial positions in Liaoning and a three-year stint as minister of commerce. But the central government sent him to Chongqing after awarding him a seat at the 25-member Politburo.