Controversy surrounding Wang Lijun reveals Beijing power struggle: scholars

The Wang Lijun saga became big news after Voice of America (VOA) reported that the former deputy mayor and police chief of Chongqing municipality had met with American diplomats inside the consulate and later left “of his own volition.”

Wang is now in Beijing, officially on a “healing vacation” after suffering “serious stress and physical discomfort,” according to a statement issued by the Chongqing City government.

VOA quoted Victoria Nuland, a U.S. State Department spokesperson, as saying that Wang had asked to meet American officials at the Chengdu consulate and that the meeting took place Monday.

“He did visit the consulate and he later left the consulate of his own volition,” she said.

However, Nuland did not disclose whether Wang had requested asylum. The State Department does not talk about issues related to those seeking refugee status or asylum, she said.

Nuland also declined to discuss the content of Wang's meeting with officials of the American consulate in Chengdu.

VOA said Wang's encounter with American officials was causing great embarrassment to Bo Xilai (薄熙來), the No. 1 figure in Chongqing whose political fortunes were seen to be rising in advance of the CPC's power-shifting congress in fall.

Wang, 52, had helped Bo enforce a crackdown on corruption and organized crime in the city. The question of why Wang has suddenly fallen ill as result of “long-term stress and overwork,” as the city government reported, has aroused interest. The issue of why he reportedly tried to seek assistance from U.S. officials is also a key one.

1|2|Next Page>>

PrintEmail

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email