Ex-police chief charged in China political scandal
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BEIJING (AP) - A former police chief at the heart of Chna's biggest political scandal in years has been charged with defection, power abuse, and bribe taking, state media reported on Wednesday, indicating the turbulent affair is moving closer toward a resolution before the nation transitions to a new generation of leaders this fall.
The official Xinhua News Agency gave no immediate details on Wednesday about the charges against Wang Lijun, the former police chief and vice-mayor of the south-western city of Chongqing.
Wang set off the scandal by fleeing to the US consulate in the nearby city of Chengdu in early February after being summarily demoted by the city's powerful Communist Party boss, Mr Bo Xilai. Xinhua said the charges were brought by prosecutors in Chengdu, indicating that's where the trial will be held.
The announcement of the charges against him comes at the end of a brief visit to Beijing by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and will likely be seen by some as timed to send a message to Washington that China would strongly object to any foreign involvement in its internal politics.
