China: Money, power and politics

China is increasingly a communist country in name only. It has embraced capitalism - being an economic powerhouse, "the world's factory". But that prosperity extends well into the political echelons, in some very non-communist ways.

Bo Xilai, the politician who was publically expelled from the Communist Party, managed to amass $1.3bn, and in the process sent his son to a public school in Britain - whilst preaching communist ideals.

Ling Jihua, a close ally of President Hu Jintao, was demoted from the party's politburo general office. The South China Morning Post reported Ling's son died when his Ferrari crashed, raising questions about how a government official on less than $30,000 a year could possibly afford a luxury car worth $800,000.

The Communist Party is sensitive to such shows of luxury, as the divide between the rich and poor in the country grows. But interestingly the latest Hurun Report, a luxury magazine which ranks China's richest, says there are 251 billionaires in China.

The richest is soft-drinks entrepreneur Zong Qinghou, who is also the 23rd richest in the world. He is estimated to be worth $12.6bn. Now he has been selected to attend the National People's Congress (NPC) - and he is not the only one.

The net worth of the 70 richest delegates in the NPC rose to $89.8bn in 2011. Compare that to the $7.5bn net worth of all 660 top officials in the US government, including President Barack Obama.