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| Chinese elite tighten their designer belts at sober annual congress | Chinese elite tighten their designer belts at sober annual congress |
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| For some of China's richest men, and even some women, the next couple of weeks may bring an unwelcome change. In past years the annual parliamentary session has been something of a beanfeast for the almost 3,000 deputies; a chance to schmooze and show off. | For some of China's richest men, and even some women, the next couple of weeks may bring an unwelcome change. In past years the annual parliamentary session has been something of a beanfeast for the almost 3,000 deputies; a chance to schmooze and show off. |
| The event opening on Tuesday and a political advisory meeting that began on Sunday look rather lower key this time. There will be no VIP receptions at airports or railway stations, no bouquets waiting in hotel rooms, and no extravagant galas or gifts, according to the state news agency Xinhua. Lavish banquets will be replaced by alcohol-free buffets. | The event opening on Tuesday and a political advisory meeting that began on Sunday look rather lower key this time. There will be no VIP receptions at airports or railway stations, no bouquets waiting in hotel rooms, and no extravagant galas or gifts, according to the state news agency Xinhua. Lavish banquets will be replaced by alcohol-free buffets. |
| As the country's new leaders take on their governmental roles – Xi Jinping, the Communist party general secretary, will become president; Li Keqiang will become premier – the sober new tone reflects Xi's dual theme of tackling official excess and abuses and ardently pursuing the "Chinese dream". In remarks published this weekend, he warned that the party's future was on the line. | As the country's new leaders take on their governmental roles – Xi Jinping, the Communist party general secretary, will become president; Li Keqiang will become premier – the sober new tone reflects Xi's dual theme of tackling official excess and abuses and ardently pursuing the "Chinese dream". In remarks published this weekend, he warned that the party's future was on the line. |
| Delivered in no-nonsense language rather than the party jargon favoured by his predecessor, Hu Jintao, Xi's message appears to be connecting with ordinary people concerned about corruption, the arrogance of officials and growing inequality. | Delivered in no-nonsense language rather than the party jargon favoured by his predecessor, Hu Jintao, Xi's message appears to be connecting with ordinary people concerned about corruption, the arrogance of officials and growing inequality. |
| The annual session normally underlines the deep links between power and wealth. The net worth of the 70 richest members of the National People's Congress rose to 565.8bn yuan (£60bn) in 2011. Although the legislature itself is largely a rubber-stamp body, members are powerfully connected. | The annual session normally underlines the deep links between power and wealth. The net worth of the 70 richest members of the National People's Congress rose to 565.8bn yuan (£60bn) in 2011. Although the legislature itself is largely a rubber-stamp body, members are powerfully connected. |
| Observers have delighted in highlighting the expensive designer gear of deputies. This year attendees are likely to avoid ostentatious watches and gaudy belts. | Observers have delighted in highlighting the expensive designer gear of deputies. This year attendees are likely to avoid ostentatious watches and gaudy belts. |
| "Of course it's having an effect. Many officials are now running on thin ice; they're very careful," said Ji Xiguang, a former newspaper journalist who spread news of a recent sex-and-extortion scandal in Chongqing. | "Of course it's having an effect. Many officials are now running on thin ice; they're very careful," said Ji Xiguang, a former newspaper journalist who spread news of a recent sex-and-extortion scandal in Chongqing. |
| Paul French, chief China strategist for Mintel, said designer boutiques were "still selling individual suits, but they don't get the guy coming in and buying 10 that he wants to give out. Or they come in and say: 'I want 10 suits, but I need an invoice saying it's office stationery.'" | Paul French, chief China strategist for Mintel, said designer boutiques were "still selling individual suits, but they don't get the guy coming in and buying 10 that he wants to give out. Or they come in and say: 'I want 10 suits, but I need an invoice saying it's office stationery.'" |
| As Avery Booker of Jing Daily noted: "Gift giving's not dying away in China – no matter what the government tries to enact." | As Avery Booker of Jing Daily noted: "Gift giving's not dying away in China – no matter what the government tries to enact." |
| Like many, Booker predicted a short-term hit for some brands and a shift to stealth gifting instead, via "very small, concealable luxury items" such as pens and cufflinks, or overseas trips. | Like many, Booker predicted a short-term hit for some brands and a shift to stealth gifting instead, via "very small, concealable luxury items" such as pens and cufflinks, or overseas trips. |
| Ji said real and lasting change would require "strong medicine": not only tolerance for the public airing of official scandals, but a push for legislation to make officials declare their assets publicly – long discussed but yet to come to fruition. | Ji said real and lasting change would require "strong medicine": not only tolerance for the public airing of official scandals, but a push for legislation to make officials declare their assets publicly – long discussed but yet to come to fruition. |
| Few expect progress on a "sunshine law" this year or anticipate radical shifts of policy at the congress – precedent suggests these come later in political terms. State media coverage has made clear that the tough if unexciting task of reorganising ministries and agencies is a top priority. | Few expect progress on a "sunshine law" this year or anticipate radical shifts of policy at the congress – precedent suggests these come later in political terms. State media coverage has made clear that the tough if unexciting task of reorganising ministries and agencies is a top priority. |
| Even so, activists and scholars hope for serious discussion of some of the big challenges facing China – particularly because many argue that the last administration did little more than maintain the status quo. | Even so, activists and scholars hope for serious discussion of some of the big challenges facing China – particularly because many argue that the last administration did little more than maintain the status quo. |
| "We wasted 10 years – and some things got worse: social contradictions, ecological problems, population problems … The new leaders have to solve these problems urgently," said Chen Ziming, a Beijing-based independent political scholar. | "We wasted 10 years – and some things got worse: social contradictions, ecological problems, population problems … The new leaders have to solve these problems urgently," said Chen Ziming, a Beijing-based independent political scholar. |
| Though officials ensure that the meeting invariably takes place under the bluest of skies, the terrible pollution that has blanketed large swathes of China this winter has pressed the case for environmental protection. Food safety is also a growing concern. | Though officials ensure that the meeting invariably takes place under the bluest of skies, the terrible pollution that has blanketed large swathes of China this winter has pressed the case for environmental protection. Food safety is also a growing concern. |
| So too is reform of the hukou, or household registration system, which prevents migrant workers and their children from enjoying the same services as their urban neighbours. And pledges to overhaul the re-education through labour system might finally be detailed. | So too is reform of the hukou, or household registration system, which prevents migrant workers and their children from enjoying the same services as their urban neighbours. And pledges to overhaul the re-education through labour system might finally be detailed. |
| Discussion of these and other issues will offer early indications of where China's leaders are heading. "It could be a pleasant surprise or a further disappointment," said Cheng Li, of the Brookings Institution. | Discussion of these and other issues will offer early indications of where China's leaders are heading. "It could be a pleasant surprise or a further disappointment," said Cheng Li, of the Brookings Institution. |
| While the message of greater party discipline is clear enough, observers have struggled to decipher Xi's repeated invocations of the Chinese dream. "Realising the great renewal of the Chinese nation is the greatest dream for the Chinese nation in modern history," he said just after taking power, in remarks some saw as hinting at an increasingly nationalist and assertive China. | While the message of greater party discipline is clear enough, observers have struggled to decipher Xi's repeated invocations of the Chinese dream. "Realising the great renewal of the Chinese nation is the greatest dream for the Chinese nation in modern history," he said just after taking power, in remarks some saw as hinting at an increasingly nationalist and assertive China. |
| Some hope the idea could yet contain somewhat greater space for discussion and debate, albeit under party control. Its opaqueness may be the point: it breathes optimism without spelling out a specific new course to which anyone could object. | Some hope the idea could yet contain somewhat greater space for discussion and debate, albeit under party control. Its opaqueness may be the point: it breathes optimism without spelling out a specific new course to which anyone could object. |
| In a system that prizes continuity and consensus, and in which leaders choose their successors, politicians win advancement by conforming and must show respect for their influential predecessors even when they hold power, said Chen Ziming. | In a system that prizes continuity and consensus, and in which leaders choose their successors, politicians win advancement by conforming and must show respect for their influential predecessors even when they hold power, said Chen Ziming. |
| Xi's Chinese dream implies change and movement without jettisoning the past. "I think he deliberately makes it ambiguous, but sooner or later he needs to be clear about it," said Cheng. | Xi's Chinese dream implies change and movement without jettisoning the past. "I think he deliberately makes it ambiguous, but sooner or later he needs to be clear about it," said Cheng. |
| "As the leader you want to unite the country and help people reach consensus, but that doesn't mean saying one thing one day and something else next day. You need to aim high and reach consensus in a different way – by serious debate and discourse." | "As the leader you want to unite the country and help people reach consensus, but that doesn't mean saying one thing one day and something else next day. You need to aim high and reach consensus in a different way – by serious debate and discourse." |
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