China politician a victim of ‘smear campaign’

Relatives of former high-ranking Chinese politician Bo Xilai say he is the victim of a smear campaign.

Bo was fired from his post as Communist Party secretary in the Chongqing municipality, after a dispute with his police chief. He has not been seen since.

His supporters see him as a good Communist, but others – including the Premier Wen Jiabao – do not like him, saying he diverged too far from the party line.

New rumours also accuse Bo of presiding over a reign of terror in Chongqing, related to his highly publicised campaign against the mafia and corruption.

Al Jazeera’s Melissa Chan reports from Chongqing in central China.