As investigators in Beijing continue to make their case against Bo Xilai, the disgraced politician leaves a legacy in Chongqing of tackling high-profile issues like crime and costly housing. But some say Bo's improvements within the southwestern Chinese city merely covered up deeper problems.
As Chinese real-estate prices soared lately, Chongqing officials responded with a plan for 13 million square meters of low-income housing, starting in 2010 with the Minxin Jiayuan development. Hu Yuehu moved in last May and says he's proud of his rapidly built home.
"Yes, they're pretty new," said Hu. "They started building them two years ago. It took them below 12 months to construct. Over here, they're still under construction."
Neighbor Liu has some complaints: food is just too expensive and transportation is inconvenient. However, she has no complaints about Bo Xilai, whom she credits with making Chongqing safer.
"There was once guns and rifles and killings. To inform you the reality, those things decreased after he came," Liu recalled.
"Safe Chongqing" is one among Bo's slogans plastered all over the place town. He organize street level policing stations, and hired more female officers and traffic cops. The focal point was safer - and greener - streets. But critics say these improvements were only surface-deep. Prominent lawyer Sun Farong says there have been improprieties in Bo's famous campaign against organized crime.
"As an instance, this has certainly happened in extracting confessions," said Sun. "We have now a lawyer colleague who was defending a feminine client. When she was released from jail, she had many injuries on her body."
She also accuses Bo's government of inflating statistics.
"He has said generally that he has solved greater than 700 cases, but with the statistics they offer, i've got doubts. They are saying one number today, after which say another tomorrow," Sun added.
Propaganda signs that say "Serve the folks" were once common in Chongqing, but they've been disappearing since Bo was fired greater than a month ago. Residents say this one has since been removed.
As evidence of Bo's public campaigns slowly fades, Chongqing locals like Minxin Jiayuan resident Liu say the famous leader's political fall have been jarring.
"i don't dare to believe it. We've just heard that his wife killed a guy. The inside track says it, nevertheless it may be an excuse if you want to remove him. We don't dare to make sure about that. We just play mahjong and chat," said Liu
She adds that almost all Chinese people know to not discuss high-level politics, and are attempting to just accept the government's version of the Bo controversy.
From WhatNewsToday.net
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