As Mr Bo’s ambitions flamed out in a blaze of murder, corruption and scandal, it became difficult this year for the party to cover up the antics of the many other princelings who regard China and its people as their personal property.  Western news organisations have published detailed accounts of the outrageous fortunes amassed by family members of top-serving officials, including the outgoing premier Wen Jiabao and the incoming Mr Xi.  Chinese people who despair at the kleptocratic behaviour of the ruling class can only take heart from an old Chinese aphorism they hope will apply to today’s princelings: “fu bu guo san dai” – or “fortune never lasts more than three generations”.  Article