Internet abuzz with rumors over Bo Xilal`s mistresses

The Internet is awash with controversy over the purported list of women held by disgraced Chinese official Bo Xilai.

The Chinese Communist Party mentioned that Bo “had or kept sexual relationships with a number of women” as part of the charges against the former Chongqing mayor, along with bribe-taking and power abuse. The party announced Sept. 28 its decision to file criminal charges against him while depriving him of both his party affiliate in and state posts.

Since then, rumors have widely circulated over Bo’s women on the Web, including lists that have not been confirmed. Media in the U.K., Taiwan and Hong Kong cautiously began carrying news on the women surrounding Bo.

The Daily Telegraph of the U.K. reported Sunday on a list of Bo’s mistresses in light of the Communist Party’s announcement. Chang Weiping, a former reporter with the Hong Kong daily Wenweipo, told the Telegraph, “Even estimated conservatively, Bo would have some 100 mistresses,” adding, “Bo had massive power. He had girlfriends and introduced women to other officials as if they were goods.”

Chang faced oppression after exposing scandals surrounding Bo while the latter was serving public posts in Dalian (1988-2000), and has been tracing the fallen official even after Chang moved to Canada.

People rumored to be Bo’s women include anchors with China Central TV, actresses, former senior staff at the Chongqing city government, and a policewoman.

The Hong Kong daily Ming Po said the rumors suggest that Xu Ming, chairman of Dalian Shide Group who served as Bo’s financial supporter, presented Bo with more than 100 women and that dozens of them had sexual relationships with Bo.

In the wake of the rumors, He Weifang, a law professor at Peking University, told Weipo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter under Sina.com, “These women were special public figures who earned unjustifiable gains by forming ties with Bo Xilai, and the list should be released to ensure the people’s right to know and prevent innocent people from suffering damage.” He cited that the names of women who had sexual relationships with former Beijing Mayor Chen Xitong had been made public in the latter`s corruption scandal.

mungchii@donga.com