CHENGDU, China — Rumors of a possible high-profile asylum attempt, purge or maybe just an awkwardly timed sick leave swirled Wednesday around a famous Chinese law enforcement official, in a case with possible implications for a rising star in China’s national politics.
The official in question, Wang Lijun, led an immense crackdown on organized crime in the southwestern metropolis of Chongqing in 2009 — an effort that received national acclaim and further raised the profile of the city’s Chinese Communist Party secretary, Bo Xilai.
Bo, part of the “princeling group” of second-generation Communist Party leaders, is seen as a leading candidate for a seat on the nation’s ruling politburo standing committee later this year.
Internet rumors swirled Wednesday that Wang had unsuccessfully sought refuge at the U.S. consulate in Chengdu. There was no evidence immediately available, however, of that being the case. The U.S. Embassy spokesman in Beijing declined to comment.
The Chongqing government publicly posted a statement saying that because of mental stress and health issues, Wang is currently “undergoing treatment” — a phrase widely translated as “vacation-style treatment.”
The uncertainty about what happened with — or to — Wang Lijun says much about the opaque nature of Chinese politics, especially during a year in which different factions are thought to be vying for power ahead of the politburo shift. Could a scandal embroiling someone so closely associated with Bo affect his chances for promotion? Might it be a sign that Bo is cutting strings to former allies? Or, perhaps, the 52-year-old Wang is merely taking some much-needed rest.
