Figuring Out What is Going on in China

The Takeaway

China is having a difficult time keeping critical and controversial comments about the Chinese Communist party from circulating on the Internet. This time the source of the problem is the people of China trying to understand what’s going on in their own government in the midst of the biggest political scandal in decades. The fall of party hardliner and once rising star Bo Xilai has become linked to the murder of a british businessman. Xilai’s wife is accused of that murder and this scandal overlays an even deeper mystery about the once in a decade power transition in the Chinese Communist party. Some websites have gone so far as to say there has already been a coup in Beijing.  Jonathan Fenby is a contributor to New York Times and author on Chinese economics.

Are you with The World?

The story you just read is available to read for free because thousands of listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Every day, the reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you human-centered news from across the globe. But we can’t do it without you: We need your support to ensure we can continue this work for another year.

When you make a gift of $10 or more a month, we’ll invite you to a virtual behind-the-scenes tour of our newsroom to thank you for being with The World.