Bo and Chen: Will they wed?
For many it’s a Long March to the Ivy League; but for few is that more true (figuratively) than for Bo Guagua and Chen Xiaodan. The two Chinese students are both pursuing post-grad studies at Harvard, and both are the grandchildren of men who accompanied Mao on his epic escape from Nationalist forces through western China.
As offspring of the Party elite they’re known as ‘princelings’ (for more on this topic see WiC35). And it’s the photo (posted online) at the top of this page that’s got them in the news. Speculation has been mounting that the two may marry.
Britain’s Daily Telegraph reckons that, should they do so, it will be the equivalent of the upcoming UK royal wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton. They are indeed ‘red royalty’. Both grandparents (Bo Yibo and Chen Yun) were such senior Communists that they rank among the ‘eight immortals’ of the Party. Their fathers are pretty important too. Bo Xilai is currently running the fast-growing municipality of Chongqing and is tipped for a Politburo place next year. Chen Yuan runs the powerful China Development Bank.
The Telegraph says the photos “appear to be genuine”. If the marriage rumour is too, it could create a political dynasty in China to rival the Kennedys, Bushes and Clintons.
© ChinTell Ltd. All rights reserved.
Sponsored by HSBC.
The Week in China website and the weekly magazine publications are owned
and maintained by ChinTell Limited, Hong Kong. Neither HSBC nor any member of the HSBC group of companies ("HSBC") endorses the contents and/or is
involved in selecting, creating or editing the contents of the Week in China website or the Week in China magazine. The views expressed in these
publications are solely the views of ChinTell Limited and do not necessarily reflect the views or investment ideas of HSBC. No responsibility will
therefore be assumed by HSBC for the contents of these publications or for the errors or omissions therein.
Download Apps