With live micro blog updates, news conferences and special treatment for reporters, the public trial of Bo Xilai is expected to become a landmark proceeding for the level of judicial transparency it has demonstrated, law professors say.

Bo, 64, a former member of China's top-ruling political bureau and Party chief of Chongqing, stood trial on Thursday on allegations of bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power.

As a major source of what is going on in the high-profile court proceeding, the micro blog of the Jinan Intermediate People's Court has seen the number of its followers surge by tens of thousands.