Political Sacking in China's Chongqing Province

The Chongqing deputy mayor recently removed from his post as municipal public security chief will take a leave of absence to recover from work-related stress and physical exhaustion, according to a government statement. Wang Lijun allegedly has close ties with Chongqing Party Secretary Bo Xilai, an outspoken and controversial Chinese politician known for his his success in transforming Chongqing's inland-based economy. Wang's removal in such a public way could indicate that the central government is attempting to admonish Bo by sacking one of his subordinates, or that Bo and Wang have had a falling out. Regardless of the cause, Wang's removal could portend more turmoil ahead of Beijing's 2012 leadership transition.