This is an important story that you are probably not following. At issue are the power plays going on as the new standing committee is formed, and the different “models” represented by the players involved. Bo Xilai is the star and major proponent of the “Chongqing model,” which seeks a return to more traditional communist policies. This obviously comes up against the Guangdong/Guangzhou or Southern model, of increasing liberalization. Xi Jinping, the incoming Chairman, is in the Hu Jintao mold, meaning that he is deeply committed to maintaining the status quo, and less so with agendas of either kind mentioned previously. If Bo Xilai is tainted by corruption or otherwise challenged, this will likely mean his “side” loses some of their leverage. Big things happening in China, folks!