ABSTRACT
This chapter situates Bo Xilai's downfall and trial in its historical context as well as in the context of President Xi Jinping's 'tiger and flies' anti-corruption campaign. It argues that the Communist Party of China (CPC), in Bo's downfall, prosecution and trial, and Xi's anti-corruption campaign more generally - has employed anti-corruption approaches that are similar to past CPC anti-corruption approaches. The chapter analyzes Bo's downfall and trial, as well as the fall-out from the Chongqing organized crime crackdown of 2009-11. It summarizes the events and criminal actions by Bo and his immediate family members. Bo's trial is evaluated in its historical context including past CPC anti-corruption measures, from the notorious 'Gang of Four Trial' that brought an end to the Cultural Revolution to Xi's contemporary anti-corruption campaign. The chapter discusses the continuities and similarities in post-Mao China's anti-corruption efforts concluding with tentative predictions about the foreseeable future of anti-corruption efforts.
