Chinese official who sought refuge in US mission sacked

China's top legislature on Saturday sacked Wang Lijun, former vice mayor of Chongqing Municipality, who sought shelter in the United States Consulate in Chengdue to escape a reported manhunt by disgraced Chinese Communist Party leader Bo Xilai.

The National People's Congress, China's top legislature, approved on Saturday the termination of Wang Lijun, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Wang, who was also the police chief of Chongqing, created a furore in China early this year when he barged into the US mission fearing for his life. He had tried to initiate an inquiry into allegations about the involvement of Bo's wife Gu Kalai in the murder of British national Neil Heywood.

Wang came out of the US mission almost 24 hours after he was assured security by the central police. He is currently in custody and facing investigations.

It was his refuge in US mission that spurred investigations against Bo, a hard-line Moist leader. Bo was subsequently sacked and is facing investigations by his party while his wife and orderly were arrested in connection with Heywood's murder.