Reports of military equipment and personnel entering Beijing and the surrounding area. Rumours of a coup gaining traction but release of news remains slow.

The coup rumour began with Chinese bloggers noting some unusual security around the Zhongnanhai leadership compound in the centre of Beijing on Monday night. The speculation grew more excited when some residents reported hearing gunshots in the area.

The whispers gained a wider audience a day later when websites like the Falun Gong-linked Epoch Times (“Coup in Beijing says Chinese Internet rumour mill”) and the Taiwan-based Want China Times (“Shots Fired in Beijing – but what kind?”) quoted unnamed “sources” suggesting a coup attempt had been launched against the government of President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao.

It appears to be a military coup led by leftists in the politburo against the liberals after the sacking of Bo Xilai. Heavy stuff.