MCLC: Chongqing police chief

[Denton, Kirk]

MCLC LIST
From: kirk (denton.2 at osu.edu)
Subject: Chongqing police chief
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Source: The Guardian (2/3/12):
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/feb/03/china-gang-police-chief-politic
al

China's gang-busting police chief switched to new duties
Wang Lijun is revered in Chongqing after declaring war on triads and
organised crime
By Tania Branigan in Beijing

The abrupt transferral of a gang-busting police chief ­ due to be
immortalised in film ­ has sent China's internet rumour mill into
overdrive.

Wang Lijun became famous nationwide after leading a crackdown against
organised crime in Chongqing launched by the region's high-profile party
secretary, Bo Xilai.

His move from police to more general duties has sparked particular
interest because he is seen as such a close ally of Bo, who is expected to
rise still further when the next generation of leaders takes power this
autumn.

Their controversial anti-gang campaign led to more than 1,500 arrests and
culminated in the execution of the city's former deputy police chief and
top justice official, Wen Qiang, for corruption, rape and shielding
organised crime.

But on Thursday, Chongqing's information office said on its blog the party
committee had given Wang a new portfolio in charge of economic affairs in
place of his public security post, the South China Morning Post reported.

A few hours later, the office revised its message to say the 52-year-old
would be in charge of issues including education, the environment and
industrial and commercial management. "A hero who fought as a triad-buster
has been pushed aside to a vice-mayor position without real power Š it is
not only sadness for Chongqing but the whole of China," said one of many
bloggers speculating that Wang was being sidelined because the portfolio
was relatively junior.

But Bo Zhiyue, an expert on Chinese politics at the National University of
Singapore, suggested the move was designed to prepare Wang ­ who became
vice-mayor last spring ­ for higher office. "I think this is actually
career enhancement ... To be promoted along the political path, to a mayor
or provincial governor, he has to learn to deal with different issues," he
said.

Lin Zhe, a professor with the party school of the CPC central committee,
told the state-run Global Times newspaper: "Chongqing's work in cracking
down on criminal gangs was called to an end early in 2010, when a meeting
in the city was held to summarise the achievements of cracking down on
gangs.

"So Wang has fulfilled his task as an anti-gang hero, and it is time for
him to explore new spaces in other fields."

Chongqing officials have reportedly commissioned a four-volume history of
the anti-triad campaign
<http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/03/world/asia/03iht-letter03.html>, with a
film and television series to follow.
Wang's career seems made for the movies; according to the South China
Morning Post, he has 20 scars from knife and bullet wounds and was once in
a coma for 10 days due to his longterm battle with the triads.

The crackdown proved hugely popular with many residents ­ "If Wang is not
in charge of the PSB, is Chongqing still going to be safe?" one
commentator asked ­ although critics were alarmed by its methods.

There was particular concern at the jailing of a lawyer for his defence of
an alleged gang boss
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jan/08/chinese-lawyer-jailed-defence-
mafia>. Others argue it is impossible to root out organised crime because
of the gang bosses' powerful connections.