China's Bo Xilai 'Left Party Wincing'
Updated: 10:41pm UK, Sunday 25 August 2013
By Lisa Holland, Foreign Affairs Correspondent
He was the thorn in the side of China's political hierarchy and right to the end Bo Xilai refused to exit the political stage quietly.
In his much-anticipated trial, everyone thought he would humbly accept the allegations against him in a contrite fashion which belied his flamboyant personality.
Instead he has given the performance of his life and no doubt left the Communist Party of China wincing.
That he robustly defended himself, refusing to roll over, may seem pretty un-shocking to people outside China.
The western world is used to a relatively transparent court system where people are innocent until proven guilty.
Not so in China. That Bo Xilai has been allowed to cross-examine key witnesses and hog the limelight for more than even just one day has been sensational.
Usually Chinese justice is swift, without even an attempt to provide an opportunity for a real defence.
We must remind ourselves that in China it is the party which controls the judiciary and it doesn't have an ounce of independence.
When Mr Bo's wife Gu went on trial accused of the murder of the British businessman Neil Heywood the trial was done and dusted in hours.
No pouring over evidence, just a meek acceptance of guilt.
Now Mr Bo is accused of covering up her crime - actions which sent his police chief fleeing to the American consulate in the city of Chengdu.
He may think he has nothing to lose with a final throw of the dice and a refusal to accept his fate.
Perhaps with his son Bo Guagua safely ensconced in the United States he doesn't. His wife is already serving a suspended death sentence.
Let's not forget that Mr Bo was always a self-serving politician keen to bolster his public image and fan base.
The modern Communist Party is only interested in one thing - its survival.
They hated that Mr Bo was tapping into the notion of personality-politics.
Mr Bo was the most charismatic figure who's come to public attention since Chairman Mao.
The new era of leaders under Xi Jinping has promised a get-tough policy on corrupt officials, insisting that no-one is above the law.
They had hoped that by putting Mr Bo on trial for bribery, corruption and abuse of power that they would be showing that their pledges are not hollow.
It was quite a gamble, because by default they have shone a spotlight on the inner workings of the party - something which makes them very uncomfortable.
But they may yet have the last laugh. Mr Bo will have to be sentenced in a few weeks' time.
The party still has the power to get their revenge when they - not the court - decides his sentence.
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