Chongqing sets new roadmap in post-Bo era

BEIJING - Chongqing's municipal government vowed Saturday it would shake off the impacts of the Bo Xilai scandal and  make law-abiding governance the priority alongside further reform.

Huang Qifan, mayor of Chongqing, described 2012 as an "extremely extraordinary year" for Chongqing's development in his report on the work of the municipal government, at the opening ceremony of the 4th Chongqing Municipal People's Congress.

The mayor said the government has endeavored to maintain steady economical and social development despite the severe toll of the incidents involving Bo Xilai and Wang Lijun, with the city recording an annual economic growth of 13.6 percent.

"It turned out that Chongqing citizens have weathered storms and withstood ordeals," he said.

The government published the full text of its work report, in which it placed governing in accordance with the Constitution and the law as a main focus for this year, while references to Chongqing's crackdown on organized crimes are notably absent.

In 2009, Chongqing launched a massive anti-crime campaign called "peaceful Chongqing," prioritizing fighting local mafia-style gangs. Though Bo and Chongqing's police were credited with reducing crime, concerns were raised about abuses of power and the neglect of due process.

The government should rule in accordance with the law, and "no organization or individual has the privilege to overstep the Constitution and the law," the work report said.

As power reshuffle in this session is set to usher in new local leaders, higher requirements are posed for the municipal government to further intensify reform, Huang told the congress.

Improvements to work style should be made following the central leadership's call for eradicating bureaucracy and formalism in December.

Officials should remain low-key and down to earth, talk less and work more to better serve the people, the report said.

"Efforts should be made to prevent absolute, lopsided behavior and extremism," it added.

The strict observance of morality and discipline is required while officials, especially those with high ranks, should better educate and restrain their relatives and staff members working closely with them, allowing no privilege.

Bo's wife, Bo-Gu Kailai, and his former police chief, Wang Lijun, were convicted over the scandal that stemmed from the murder of a British businessman in November 2011 while Bo was secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Chongqing Municipal Committee.

Bo was later deprived of CPC membership and expelled from public service for severe disciplinary violations.