The Xinhua report said that a Bo family aide, Zhang Xiaojun, who stood trial with Ms. Gu, also confessed, saying in his testimony that he had escorted Mr. Heywood from Beijing to Chongqing where the Briton checked into the Nanshan Lijing Holiday hotel on Nov. 13, 2011.

WSJ: China Says Gu Confesses to Murdering Briton

Mr Bo's successor, Mr Zhang, will need to work hard to reassure private businesses.

ECONOMIST: Power games

And like Mr. Bo until recently, Mr. Zhang is a potential candidate for promotion to the Standing Committee although unwritten party norms suggest he would serve only one five-year term because he is 65 already.

WSJ: China Ouster Shows Party at a Crossroads

Zhang sued over the allegation that Bo paid her for huge sums of money for sex on several occasions.

FORBES: Justice Postponed For China's Communist Politico, Movie Actress

Like Mr. Bo, whose father was a renowned revolutionary leader, Mr. Zhang is often referred to as a "princeling" as the son of an army general who helped to fight a Japanese invasion and Chinese national forces.

WSJ: China Ouster Shows Party at a Crossroads

Beijing has released little information on its handling of Chongqing, beyond announcing last week that Zhang Dejiang, a vice premier with strong ties to state industry leaders, had taken over Mr. Bo's position.

WSJ: Beijing Tightens Grip After Purge