Son defends fallen Chinese politician Bo Xilai
Bo Xilai is 'upright' and 'devoted to duty' says son Bo Guagua
CBC News
Posted: Sep 30, 2012 8:01 PM ET
Last Updated: Sep 30, 2012 8:49 PM ET
Recent Harvard graduate Bo Guagua says it's "hard to believe" the charges against his father, fallen Chinese politician Bo Xilai. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)
Related
Related Stories
External Links
(Note:CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external links.)
The Western-educated son of disgraced Chinese politician Bo Xilai has defended his father's reputation and expressed doubts about the charges that saw him expelled from the ruling party on Friday.
Bo Guagua, the son of Bo Xilai and his wife Gu Kailai, on Sunday described his father as an "upright" man who is "devoted to duty."
"Personally, it is hard for me to believe the allegations that were announced against my father, because they contradict everything I have come to know about him throughout my life," he said in an online statement, posted on the micro-blogging site Tumblr.
'Personally, it is hard for me to believe the allegations that were announced against my father, because they contradict everything I have come to know about him throughout my life.'—Bo Guagua, Son of Chinese politician Bo Xilai
"Although the policies my father enacted are open to debate, the father I know is upright in his beliefs and devoted to duty," he added. "He has always taught me to be my own person and to have concern for causes greater than ourselves. I have tried to follow his advice. At this point, I expect the legal process to follow its normal course, and I will await the result."
Bo's son confirmed the statement came from him in an email to the Wall St. Journal. He is believed to be somewhere in the U.S., according to the Journal. He graduated with a master's degree from Harvard University earlier this year, following studies at Oxford in the U.K.
Bo was ousted from the upper-most ranks of China's ruling Communist party on Friday amid charges of corruption and other criminal activity.
He was previously in line to take the leadership of both the party and the country following the exit of Hu Jintao, but has instead been sent to criminal court to face charges he took bribes, abused his power and had improper relations with a number of women.
The scandal began earlier this year when Gu was charged and convicted of murdering a British businessman. She confessed and was given a suspended death sentence.
Share Tools
Top News Headlines
- Most groups don't want return of Trudeau speaking fees
- Most of the 17 charitable and other organizations that have paid speaking fees to Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau during his time as an MP say they aren't interested in having their fees returned, despite Trudeau's offer on the weekend to reimburse any organization unhappy with his services. more »
- Are e-cigarettes safe to puff?
- As electronic or e-cigarettes grow in popularity, some health advocates want them to be regulated. more »
- Canada to send peacekeeping troops to Haiti
- A handful of Canadian troops are about to take part in peacekeeping operation in Haiti, under the command of Brazilian forces, in a long-delayed mission that has been kept inexplicably low on the political radar. more »
- Google asks secret court to lift gag on surveillance
- Google is asking the secretive Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to lift its long-standing gag order on how often the company is asked to turn over data about its customers to the U.S. government. more »
Must Watch
Latest World News Headlines
- Google asks secret court to lift gag on surveillance
- Google is asking the secretive Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to lift its long-standing gag order on how often the company is asked to turn over data about its customers to the U.S. government. more »
- Brazil protesters keep up pressure on government
- Thousands of demonstrators flooded into a square in Brazil's economic hub, Sao Paulo, on Tuesday for the latest in a historic wave of protests against the shoddy state of public transit, schools and other public services in this booming South American giant. more »
- Silent protests spread as Turks mimic 'standing man'
- Demonstrators against the Turkish government have adopted a new way of protesting: standing in one place and remaining silent. They're following the lead of a performance artist whose eight-hour vigil ended when police arrested him. more »
- Huge ancient city at Angkor Wat revealed by lasers
- Airborne laser technology has uncovered a network of roadways and canals, illustrating a bustling ancient city linking Cambodia's famed Angkor Wat temple complex. more »
The National
The Current
- What happened to Betty Anne Gagnon? Jun. 18, 2013 3:09 PM Betty Anne Gagnon's mental disabilities didn't stop her from finding work, or finding friends. But when she needed it the most, she was unable to find help.
- Canadians in Dominican wedding fight freed from jail
- TV chef Nigella Lawson's husband cautioned by police for assault
- Huge ancient city at Angkor Wat revealed by lasers
- Disabled woman's care before dying on bus still a mystery
- Montreal mayor resigns amid corruption charges
- Student with bullied past, 'The Doorman,' graduates
- 'Standing man' inspires new, silent protests in Turkey
- G8 leaders agree to 7-point plan on Syria as summit wraps
- Parents of son 'brutally beaten' playing hockey want charges

