In many ways, Bo personified the Chinese concept of “meritocracy” – well-educated, intelligent, sophisticated, and charming (mainly to Western executives). But, after his fall, a very different picture emerged.
薄熙来在许多方面都符合中国人对“政治精英”的定义——受过良好教育，聪明睿智，行事老练，而且富有个人魅力（主要在西方政商界人士看来）。但在他倒台后呈现的却是一幅截然不同的图景。除了牵涉其中的各项罪名以外，据说薄熙来还是个冷酷无情，志大才疏的共产党官僚。作为一个地方官来说他的政绩平平无奇。