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Upcoming political meets to test frugality pledge
By Wang Aihua |
January 23, 2013, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
WITH a leadership-ordered frugality storm said to be sweeping China, people are wondering if the two annual political sessions in March - both drawing criticism over the huge cost of security and accommodation - will offer test to demonstrate that the leadership means its anti-pomp campaign.
In recent days, a new wave of cost-cutting for lawmaking and political bodies, notably more limited choices of food, no red carpets or traffic controls, has been applied to the annual sessions of China's provincial legislatures and political advisory bodies. In the southern province of Guangdong, a film star from Hong Kong who serves as a provincial political advisor even complained of still feeling hungry after eating a simple four-course meal.
Similar changes can also be seen in the meetings taking place in Beijing, with a much smaller variety of food and no red carpet for attendees.
These more economical meeting arrangements mirror the new leadership's resolve to remove extravagance from official events. They should, and will, become the new trend.
An imminent test of the sincerity of the leadership's talk will come at the annual sessions of the top legislature, the National People's Congress, and the top political advisory body, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, in March, when thousands of lawmakers and advisors convene in Beijing.
Often criticized about the huge sums lavished on such events, the annual legislative and political advisory sessions can help bring themselves closer to the public through simpler and more reasonable arrangements. However, frugal meetings are just a beginning.
The ultimate goal should be frugality in all official activities. If officials grow accustomed to working and living simpler lifestyles, they will more likely refrain from corruption because there is no need to take money illegally.
Corruption has become a grave hurdle to China's further development and a threat to the government's credibility, particularly at a time when the Communist Party of China's new leader, Xi Jinping, has vowed further reform and opening up.
Over the past few months, several high-level officials have been removed from their posts for corruption; most of them owned several apartments, premium-brand watches and other luxury items unaffordable on public servants' salaries.
In this Internet era, it is not only morally responsible for officials to live frugally, but also a must because thousands of millions of eyes are watching their behavior. Any improper flaunting of personal wealth or abuse of power can rightly expose officials to public attack and lead to disciplinary investigations.
The author is a Xinhua writer.
In recent days, a new wave of cost-cutting for lawmaking and political bodies, notably more limited choices of food, no red carpets or traffic controls, has been applied to the annual sessions of China's provincial legislatures and political advisory bodies. In the southern province of Guangdong, a film star from Hong Kong who serves as a provincial political advisor even complained of still feeling hungry after eating a simple four-course meal.
Similar changes can also be seen in the meetings taking place in Beijing, with a much smaller variety of food and no red carpet for attendees.
These more economical meeting arrangements mirror the new leadership's resolve to remove extravagance from official events. They should, and will, become the new trend.
An imminent test of the sincerity of the leadership's talk will come at the annual sessions of the top legislature, the National People's Congress, and the top political advisory body, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, in March, when thousands of lawmakers and advisors convene in Beijing.
Often criticized about the huge sums lavished on such events, the annual legislative and political advisory sessions can help bring themselves closer to the public through simpler and more reasonable arrangements. However, frugal meetings are just a beginning.
The ultimate goal should be frugality in all official activities. If officials grow accustomed to working and living simpler lifestyles, they will more likely refrain from corruption because there is no need to take money illegally.
Corruption has become a grave hurdle to China's further development and a threat to the government's credibility, particularly at a time when the Communist Party of China's new leader, Xi Jinping, has vowed further reform and opening up.
Over the past few months, several high-level officials have been removed from their posts for corruption; most of them owned several apartments, premium-brand watches and other luxury items unaffordable on public servants' salaries.
In this Internet era, it is not only morally responsible for officials to live frugally, but also a must because thousands of millions of eyes are watching their behavior. Any improper flaunting of personal wealth or abuse of power can rightly expose officials to public attack and lead to disciplinary investigations.
The author is a Xinhua writer.
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