Chinese state media say disgraced politician Bo Xilai, who has been at the center of China's biggest political scandal in decades, has been kicked out of the country's Communist Party and will “face justice.” 
 
 The long-awaited announcement regarding Bo's fate was made Friday by China's official Xinhua news agency. More 
 
 The decision by the party's Politburo, announced by the state-run Xinhua news agency, came as the world's second largest economy wrestles with a host of knotty problems—an economic slowdown, a sovereignty fight with Japan over some islands, and a pending once-a-decade leadership shuffle that the Bo scandal had thrown into turmoil. There is also the issue of lingering support among the public for Mr. Bo and the populist style of government he pursued as party leader in Chongqing. Bo Xilai: A WSJ Documentary 
 
 The fall of Bo Xilai, once a rising star in Chinese politics, has plunged the country into its biggest crisis since Tiananmen Square. Next in Line After other trials, Bo is up Enlarge Image Close Associated Press Bo Xilai—The former party chief in Chongqing was suspended from Party posts and placed under investigation for unspecified "serious disciplinary violations" on April 10. Reporting an official statement from a party leaders' meeting, the state news agency, Xinhua, said Mr Bo stood accused of corruption, abuse of power, bribe-taking and improper relations with women. Enlarge Image Close Associated Press Wang Lijun—The former Chongqing police chief was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison on Sept. 24 for defection, bribery, abuse of power and "bending the law for selfish ends." "Bo's behaviors have yielded serious consequences, badly undermined the reputation of the party and the country, created very negative impacts at home and abroad and significantly damaged the cause of the party and the people," Xinhua said. It added that Mr. Bo had repeatedly "violated party discipline" over a lengthy career, dating back to his days as mayor of the northeast port city of Dalian from 1993 to 2001 and continuing through his time as governor of Liaoning province, as China's commerce minister and as party chief in Chongqing. Xinhua said Mr Bo had been expelled from the party and the elite decision-making Politburo and Central Committee as he had "abused his power, made severe mistakes and bore major responsibility in the Wang Lijun incident and the intentional homicide case of [Gu Kailai]". Timeline: Bo Xilai scandal 6 Feb: Chongqing police chief Wang Lijun flees to the US consulate in Chengdu 
 
 Chongqing police chief Wang Lijun flees to the US consulate in Chengdu 15 Mar: Bo Xilai is removed from his post in Chongqing 
 
 Bo Xilai is removed from his post in Chongqing 20 Mar: Rumours suggest Mr Bo could be linked to the death of British businessman Neil Heywood 
 
 Rumours suggest Mr Bo could be linked to the death of British businessman Neil Heywood 10 Apr: Mr Bo is suspended from party posts and his wife, Gu Kailai, is investigated over Mr Heywood's death 
 
 Mr Bo is suspended from party posts and his wife, Gu Kailai, is investigated over Mr Heywood's death 26 July: Gu Kailai and Bo family employee Zhang Xiaojun are charged with killing Mr Heywood 
 
 Gu Kailai and Bo family employee Zhang Xiaojun are charged with killing Mr Heywood 9 Aug: Gu one-day trial for murder held 
 
 Gu one-day trial for murder held 20 Aug: Gu given suspended death sentence 
 
 Gu given suspended death sentence 5 Sep : Wang charged with defection, abuse of power and bribe-taking 
 
 : Wang charged with defection, abuse of power and bribe-taking 24 Sep: Wang sentenced to 15 years in jail 
 
 Wang sentenced to 15 years in jail 28 Sep: Bo Xilai expelled from party to "face justice" Scandal timeline Bo charges: Party statement 
 
 On Sina Weibo, Shenjing Jihua posted that Mr Bo had "finally met his end", adding: "So justice will prevail, and there is still hope for China." The statement carried by Xinhua said Mr Bo "took advantage of his office to seek profits for others and received huge bribes personally and through his family". During Ms. Gu's trial, prosecutors said she believed Mr. Heywood had threatened her son, Bo Guagua, after they became embroiled in a business dispute over a failed property deal. Image caption Bo Xilai (C) with convicted wife Gu Kailai and son Bo Guagua 
 
 "Bo had affairs and maintained improper sexual relationships with a number of women," the statement added.
– Former Chinese political star Bo Xilai has been expelled from the country's Communist Party, Voice of America reports, following his wife's suspended death sentence in the murder of a British businessman. Once the party leader in the city of Chongqing and a likely candidate for high national office, Bo now stands accused of corruption, abusing power, taking bribes, and "improper relations with women," the BBC reports. "Bo Xilai's actions created grave repercussions, and massively damaged the reputation of the party and the state," said Xinhua, the state news agency, which adds that he will "face justice." The party also announced that the National Congress will convene Nov. 8, a meeting that will put into a place a new generation of leaders. The Wall Street Journal's take on the twin announcements: "By unveiling the accusations against Mr. Bo at the same time as it announced the beginning of the leadership change, party officials appear to be trying to send a signal to the country regarding corruption, the abuse of power and the decadent lifestyles of many within the party elite," writes Jeremy Page. It seems that the party finally recognizes the public's wrath.