China’s next leader takes swipe at Bo Xilai

The fallout from Heywood’s murder and Mr Bo’s political demise has triggered speculation that the once-in-a-decade leadership transition, scheduled for this autumn, could be delayed.

But with Mr Bo’s wife, Gu Kailai, expected to go on trial for Heywood’s alleged murder later this month, many believe China’s leaders will now push ahead with the 18th Party Congress where Mr Xi is expected to be confirmed as the country’s new leader.

“I have not yet any reason to believe that the Congress will be delayed beyond the end of this year,” said Steve Tsang, the director of the University of Nottingham’s China Policy Institute.

Prof Tsang said the failure to announce exact dates for the congress was likely the result of an ongoing jostle for political power, triggered by the downfall of Mr Bo, who was once tipped to assume a coveted position on the powerful Politburo standing committee.

“I think the repositioning of the two power blocs is real and is going on [now] which is why the date for the Congress has not been announced yet. We would normally have heard by now roughly when the conference would be.

“We haven’t heard and this suggests that the top leadership has not fully agreed on what is going to happen. They don’t want to say anything about the party conference until they know what is going to happen. It is too important,” he said.

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