In a commentary, SMU Associate Professor of Law Henry Gao examined the crimes that former Communist Party chief of China’s Chongqing city, Bo Xilai, had committed. He pointed out that while the charges may sound severe, Bo’s situation may not be as serious as it appears.. Associate Prof Gao also compared Bo’s offences to the realities of Chinese politics, and was of the opinion that Bo’s most egregious offense was not corruption or murder, but stepping out of line during a critical leadership transition.