China's Bo Xilai expelled from Communist Party
Chinese politician Bo Xilai has been expelled from the ruling Communist party, clearing the way for him to face criminal trial.
BEIJING: Disgraced Chinese politician Bo Xilai has been formally expelled from the ruling Communist Party, state media said Sunday, in a decision made at a meeting of top party officials that ended just days ahead of a broader once-a-decade power handover.
The ouster, which clears the way for Bo to face criminal trial, came at a gathering of 500 top party officials that wrapped up in Beijing. The ten-yearly leadership transition, scheduled for a party congress that opens Thursday, had been dogged by the Bo scandal.
The party's Central Committee "endorsed a decision by the Political Bureau ... to expel Bo Xilai", Xinhua news agency said -- referring to the party's top 25-member policy-making body -- adding it had taken the decision last month.
The months-long controversy surrounding Bo had exposed deep divisions in the top leadership, as he had influential patrons and a following among left-leaning members, ahead of the sensitive power transition.
The former party boss in the central mega-city of Chongqing was once seen as a candidate for promotion to the party's top echelons but was brought down earlier this year by murder allegations against his wife that came to light after his police chief sought refuge in a US consulate.
Gu Kailai, Bo's wife, was later given a suspended death sentence -- a judgment commonly commuted to a life sentence -- for fatally poisoning British businessman Neil Heywood.
Xinhua said previously that Bo had "borne major responsibility" in connection with the murder of Heywood and would "face justice" for alleged abuse of power, taking "massive" bribes and having inappropriate sexual relations.
Late last month he was expelled from the country's parliament and stripped of his legal immunity.
The committee during its four-day meeting also agreed to expel former railways minister Liu Zhijun, who was sacked last year for allegedly taking more than 800 million yuan ($128 million) in bribes and awaits trial.
Appointed in 2003, Liu was accused of taking the payouts while doling out contracts for the rapid expansion of China's high-speed railway system, which has been plagued by graft and safety scandals.
Separately, the committee named generals Fan Changlong and Xu Qiliang as vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission, following recent leadership reshuffles including a new air force chief and army deputy chief of staff.
The committee also approved a draft amendment to the party constitution, Xinhua reported without giving details.
China analyst Joseph Cheng said more critical but non-publicised decisions at the gathering likely had to do with finalising leadership positions, whose appointments the congress of about 2,000 party members will approve.
Vice President Xi Jinping is set to succeed outgoing President Hu Jintao, while Vice Premier Li Keqiang is expected to replace outgoing Premier Wen Jiabao.
The ouster, which clears the way for Bo to face criminal trial, came at a gathering of 500 top party officials that wrapped up in Beijing. The ten-yearly leadership transition, scheduled for a party congress that opens Thursday, had been dogged by the Bo scandal.
The party's Central Committee "endorsed a decision by the Political Bureau ... to expel Bo Xilai", Xinhua news agency said -- referring to the party's top 25-member policy-making body -- adding it had taken the decision last month.
The months-long controversy surrounding Bo had exposed deep divisions in the top leadership, as he had influential patrons and a following among left-leaning members, ahead of the sensitive power transition.
The former party boss in the central mega-city of Chongqing was once seen as a candidate for promotion to the party's top echelons but was brought down earlier this year by murder allegations against his wife that came to light after his police chief sought refuge in a US consulate.
Gu Kailai, Bo's wife, was later given a suspended death sentence -- a judgment commonly commuted to a life sentence -- for fatally poisoning British businessman Neil Heywood.
Xinhua said previously that Bo had "borne major responsibility" in connection with the murder of Heywood and would "face justice" for alleged abuse of power, taking "massive" bribes and having inappropriate sexual relations.
Late last month he was expelled from the country's parliament and stripped of his legal immunity.
The committee during its four-day meeting also agreed to expel former railways minister Liu Zhijun, who was sacked last year for allegedly taking more than 800 million yuan ($128 million) in bribes and awaits trial.
Appointed in 2003, Liu was accused of taking the payouts while doling out contracts for the rapid expansion of China's high-speed railway system, which has been plagued by graft and safety scandals.
Separately, the committee named generals Fan Changlong and Xu Qiliang as vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission, following recent leadership reshuffles including a new air force chief and army deputy chief of staff.
The committee also approved a draft amendment to the party constitution, Xinhua reported without giving details.
China analyst Joseph Cheng said more critical but non-publicised decisions at the gathering likely had to do with finalising leadership positions, whose appointments the congress of about 2,000 party members will approve.
Vice President Xi Jinping is set to succeed outgoing President Hu Jintao, while Vice Premier Li Keqiang is expected to replace outgoing Premier Wen Jiabao.
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