HAD it been held in public, the trial of Zhou Yongkang, who was once in charge of China’s vast security apparatus, might have been the most sensational since Madame Mao and her fellow members of the “Gang of Four” were sentenced for “anti-party” activities in 1981. But the authorities were clearly worried about what might be revealed: the trial was held in utter secrecy in the port city of Tianjin, about 120km (75 miles) south-east of Beijing, rather than in the capital itself. No news of it was released until after Mr Zhou received a life sentence for bribery, abuse of power and the leaking of state secrets.
Nor was any hint given in the official account of the trial of what many observers believe was the main reason for the case being lodged against Mr Zhou—that he had been a key ally of Bo Xilai, a former member of the Politburo who was himself jailed for life in 2013 for abusing his power. Mr Bo, it is widely thought, was a rival of President Xi Jinping. The sentencing of both men was likely an attempt by Mr Xi to crush political resistance.
By going after Mr Zhou, Mr Xi certainly broke with precedent. Never before had a...Continue reading
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