Chongqing gang trials
| Chongqing gang trials | |||||||||
Chongqing is a large municipality in China's interior.
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| Traditional Chinese | 重慶打黑除惡專項行動 | ||||||||
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| Simplified Chinese | 重庆打黑除恶专项行动 | ||||||||
| Literal meaning | Targeted actions against dark and evil forces in Chongqing | ||||||||
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| Transcriptions | |
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| Standard Mandarin | |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Chóngqìng dǎ hēi chú è zhuānxiàng xíngdòng |
| IPA | [ʈʂʰʊ̌ŋtɕʰîŋ tà xéi ʈʂʰǔ ɤ̂ ʈʂwánɕjâŋ ɕǐŋtʊ̂ŋ] |
The Chongqing gang trials were a series of triad-busting trials in the city of Chongqing that began in October 2009 and concluded in 2011. Carried out under the auspices of municipal Communist Party chief Bo Xilai and police chief Wang Lijun, a total of 4,781 suspects were arrested, including 19 suspected crime bosses, hundreds of triad members, and a number of allegedly corrupt police, government and Communist party officials, including six district police chiefs and the city's former deputy police commissioner, Wen Qiang.Time described it as "China's trial of the 21st century". The crackdown is believed to be the largest of its kind in the history of the People's Republic of China. Concerns over due process surfaced following the trial, including allegations of torture, forced confessions, and intimidation.
The trials earned significant media attention for local party chief Bo Xilai, and its implications partially contributed to Bo's downfall in March 2012. Police chief Wang Lijun was also later convicted of abuse of power and went to prison.
Chongqing had been a center for gang activities prior to the advent of Communism in China. When the Communist Party came to power in 1949, it cracked down on organized crime, almost eliminating it. After liberalization under Deng Xiaoping, gangs made a comeback in the city, this time with associates within the Communist Party.
Politburo member Bo Xilai, the head of the Communist Party in Chongqing since November 2007, made "cleaning up the city" a priority, bringing in trusted outside aides such as Wang Lijun to lead the crackdown on gangs and corruption.
Over 9,000 suspects were investigated, including 50 public officials. Fourteen of these have been high-ranking officials, including members of the Chongqing Higher People's Court. Several members of the police force have also been detained, including Wen Qiang, the former director of the Chongqing Municipal Bureau of Justice and the bureau's party chief, as well as former deputy police commissioner. By 6 November 2009, over 800 people had warrants issued for their arrest and 327 were prosecuted.
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