2010, July 7

The Chinese government's fight against corruption in the southwestern city of Chongqing has been led by the Communist Party Secretary Bo Xilai. Mr. Bo has emerged as the leading figure in the fight against Chongqing's mobsters, who cooperated with corrupt officials in a wide range of criminal activities - from bribery to rape and plundering public funds. At the time of his arrest in September of 2009, Mr. Wen headed Chongqing's judiciary. Before that he was the vice director of the Public Security Bureau. So far, thousands have been arrested and prosecuted to clean out Chongqing's underworld - including at least 90 officials. 65 officials have received death sentences.

Comment: The execution of Chongqing's justice chief is one of the most visible signs that the Chinese government is seriously fighting corruption and trying to establish the rule of law - at least at the local and provincial levels.

External Web Links:

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1931342,00.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8696227.stm

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2010-07/07/c_13388010.htm