beyondBeijing2008.com

BEIJING – China’s crackdown on organized crime and government corruption is reaching a climax with the start today of the trial of the former senior police officer of Chongqing on charges of corruption, rape and protecting criminal gangs.

The high-profile investigation, which began last summer, has captivated the nation due to its gripping tales of top-level corruption, sex and a violent underworld that controlled businesses and sowed terror in Chongqing, a city of 30 million people, chosen by Beijing in 1997 to lead the economic take-off of the poor southwestern hinterland.

AP

Wen Qiang, 3rd from left, his wife Zhou Xiaoya, left, and three other senior former Chongqing policemen stand trial in a courtroom in Chongqing on Tuesday.

So far, the campaign has resulted in 782 prosecutions, including 87 city officials, the police chiefs of six districts and several tycoons.

The clampdown has won popular support, although there is some skepticism about how far Beijing will go in striking at the roots of corruption across China.

…(read more)