Police chief tried as political scandal drags on

The trial for an ex-police chief at the centre of China’s worst political scandal in decades opened with an unexpected closed-door hearing yesterday, a day earlier than publicly announced.

Authorities justified the closed proceedings by saying state secrets were being discussed in the trial of Wang Lijun, who is charged with defection, abuse of power and other crimes.

“It was closed according to Chinese law because it involves state secrets,” said defence lawyer Wang Yuncai.