Wang Zhicheng

After Zhou Yongkang and Xu Caihou, another top official falls to Xi Jinping's anti-graft drive. This is raising suspicions that the crackdown is part of an internal political struggle. Two of Ling's brothers are also being investigated. His career ended when his son killed himself behind the wheel of a Ferrari. Two young women, one naked and the other half-naked, were found with his half-naked body.

China's former security chief is accused of corruption, but also of leaking state and party secrets, as well as giving money to mistresses and cronies. However, doubts remain as to whether the campaign is against corruption or political adversaries. Zhou was a friend of Bo Xilai.

The "rule of law" must have "Chinese characteristics". The leadership's power remains unchallenged. Six members are expelled, four from Zhou Yongkang's clique. A system of more independent judges is planned.

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress praises the draft rejected by the Occupy Central movement. Even the most flexible democrats will not vote for it. There are fears of social unrest.

Local representatives to the National People's Congress defend Beijing's position. Hong Kong's chief executive threatens to strip foreign residents of their voting rights, insisting that Beijing does not have to follow "international standards" for democracy.

The National People's Congress Standing Committee is set to decide during a weeklong meeting how to pick the next chief executive. Pro-democracy advocates want universal suffrage; Beijing wants a committee to vet candidates, who must be "patriotic" and not opposed to the central government. The Occupy Central movement of the police are preparing for the demonstrations.

Zhuo Xinping, of the Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing says Pope Francis "will improve" relations being "a Jesuit" and "Latin American". Li Xiangping speaks of a "new atmosphere". But Party press do not report on the Pope’s statements or telegrams. A website recalls the "two mountains" to be overcome: diplomatic relations with Taiwan and "interference" in the internal affairs of China. Generic statements of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman.

The police are suspicious over his meetings with former USA ambassador Gary Locke and his travels to Japan. However, their main issue is his criticism of the party apparatus and the career of its princelings.

He belongs to the underground clergy and had been jailed on previous occasions. He has been released without conditions (registration among official clergy or the Patriotic Association). For the past few days he has been living with Msgr. Francis An Shuxin in Baoding. No change to religious policy: the bishop of Baoding and two priests are still in jail or have disappeared in police custody.

At a seminar on " The Sinicization of Christianity in Shanghai," the Director of the Office of Religious Affairs claims he wants to support the Protestant communities and their development. In reality, the number of Protestants belonging to communities not under government control is on the rise. A campaign to demolish crosses and churches and arrest faithful.

The investigation is in the hands of the Party Disciplinary Committee. For the first time since the days of Mao a member of the Politburo is being charged. Aids, secretaries and Zhou family members also under investigation. When he was minister of security, he strengthened police powers and fast-tracked arrests of dissidents, religious personalities, farmers, workers. If Xi Jinping’s fight against corruption aims to establish "rule of law", he should release those who been denouncing corruption for years and deliver justice to those who have been victims of Zhou’s violence and corruption.

Several academics support political reform. The Party feels its monopoly of power is threatened, fears it might end up like the USSR. Journalists are forbidden to pass information to foreign media, and could be charged with leaking "state secrets."