Post date: Dec 27, 2012 12:16:58 PM
Blind activist Chen Guangcheng escapes house arrest in northeastern China
Taking refuge in the U.S. embassy compound in Beijing, he sparks a diplomatic crisisAfter weeks of tense exchanges, Chinese authorities finally allow Chen to travel to the U.S. with his family to study.
The Premier's family riches
The report came just before China's once-in-a-decade leadership change, as censors worked overtime to block it
Lawyers representing Wen's family rejected the claims - but the spotlight was back on corruption in China's political ranks.
No show at the Great Hall
Incoming leader Xi Jinping suddenly disappeared from the public eye a month ...
before he was due to be handed the top party post
Official silence on his whereabouts sparked rumours of ill health, even assassination attempts
Xi finally emerged after a two-week absence due to what sources said was a sport injury.
Pulling the strings
Former Chinese President Jiang Zemin emerged as a key powerbroker in the run-up to the country's leadership change ...
not long after rumours of his death
Behind the scenes, sources said Jiang pushed allies into senior posts to protect his legacy.
Chongqing trilogy
Former Chongqing police chief Wang Lijun took refuge at the U.S. consulate in the city ofChengdu
before being taken away by central government officials
An investigation into Wang implicated the wife of Chongqing's flamboyant party chief, Bo Xilai ...
in the murder of a British businessman
The biggest political scandal of the year culminated into Bo's sacking and his wife being handed a suspended death sentence.