The "Chongqing Model": What It Means to China Today

This article examines the appeal of the "Chongqing Model" in the context of the socio-economic problems at this stage of China's development. Grievances have been accumulating, and an increasing segment of the population wants to see changes and reforms. The ideological and policy debates became more significant partly because of the leadership succession process finalized in the Eighteenth Party Congress in November 2012, and partly because of the perceived domestic and international challenges. The Bo Xilai case was one of the rare cases when a severe challenge came from the Left and the central leadership became seriously concerned. Bo Xilai's departure from the political scene has reduced the appeal of the New Leftists, but it does not represent a victory or even a significant opportunity for the Rightists (liberals). © 2013 © 2013 City University of Hong Kong.