The recently concluded trial of former top party official Bo Xilai has offered us a unique glimpse inside the little-understood world of Chinese power politics. Far from a typical open-shut Chinese trial, the party leadership was clearly seeking to accomplish something beyond its predetermined verdict with this carefully scripted performance.

Officially, Bo was charged with abuse of office and taking some $4.4 million in bribes during his earlier tenure as mayor of Dalian ten years ago. However, his epic fall from the heights of power was triggered by the alleged cover up of the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood, for which Bo’s wife, Gu Kailai, has already plead guilty.

Whereas most Chinese trials are closed to the public and media, Bo’s trial was practically aired live on social media – with a few exceptions of censored transcripts. The brash populist was seemingly allowed to speak out against the allegations and attack his accusers, however he was not allowed the opportunity to choose his own lawyers.