Beijing ( CNN ) -- Bo Xilai , once seen as one of the rising stars of Chinese politics , has been removed from his prominent provincial post after a scandal involving one of his key deputies . Zhang Dejiang , a Chinese vice premier , will replace Bo as Communist Party chief of Chongqing , the biggest metropolis in southwestern China , the official news agency Xinhua reported Thursday . The announcement deals a crippling blow to Bo , a polarizing figure in Chinese politics who many observers had previously considered to be a future contender for the top leadership roles . In recent years , Bo had pushed a series of aggressive political campaigns in Chongqing , including the `` dahei , '' or anti-gangs initiative , which targeted mafia-like criminal groups . The approach divided opinions in China , with some lauding its effectiveness and others criticizing it as heavy handed . But in recent weeks , his foothold near the summit of the Chinese Communist Party started to crumble . Wang Lijun , the man who helped Bo spearhead the anti-criminal crackdown , was also at the heart of the scandal that appears to have brought him down . Wang is a decorated policeman whom Bo appointed as Chongqing 's police chief . Following the well publicized anti-crime push , Wang became a vice mayor of the city . But in early February , he set off a frenzy of intrigue and speculation by entering the U.S. consulate in Chengdu , six hours ' drive from Chongqing , and staying there for one day . Rumors began to circulate that he had tried to defect . What really transpired in the consulate remains unclear . The United States downplayed it as a scheduled visit and said that Wang left of his own volition . But the Chinese authorities subsequently placed him under investigation . The Chinese prime minister , Wen Jiabao , hinted at the level of displeasure in Beijing about the affair during a news conference Wednesday . He said the Chongqing authorities must `` seriously '' reflect on and draw lessons from the Wang incident . `` As far as the result of the investigation and how this matter will be handled are concerned , an answer must be given to the people and the result of the investigation should be able to stand the test of law and history , '' Wen said after the conclusion of the annual parliamentary session in Beijing . His comments now appear to have been an early indication of the fate awaiting Bo . `` The news came faster than I expected , '' said Wenran Jiang , political science professor at the University of Alberta . But Bo 's removal was `` not surprising , given Wen Jiabao 's tone , '' he said . Bo , 62 , had served as Chongqing party chief since November 2007 . Before that , he was party chief of Liaoning Province , where huge state-run corporations were concentrated . He also served as minister of commerce and mayor of Dalian , a progressive coastal city in northeastern China . Bo and his successor , Zhang , are members of the policy-making political bureau of the Communist Party of China . Zhang , 65 , is a former party secretary of the economically powerful southern province of Guangdong . CNN 's Tim Schwartz contributed to this report .
Bo Yang , a prominent Chinese provincial leader , has been targeted by a scandal . Vice Premier Zhang Jun has replaced Bo as Chongqing Communist Party Secretary . The scandal involves one of Bo 's sons , who is under investigation .