Love or hate it, change cannot be delayed

Whenever there is economic reform, you can guarantee that it will be swiftly followed by sentiment ranging from doubt, fear and regret to outright condemnation.

You won't often hear such sentiment in the office or on the trading floor, but it is everywhere to be found on the Internet. Indeed, some corners of the Internet in China teem with truculent views.

But the very word reform implies progress made despite doubts, fears, regrets and condemnation. President Xi Jinping has said the forthcoming CPC Central Committee Third Plenum, over four days from Nov 9, will demonstrate "great political wisdom and courage" in charting the country's next round of reform.