Frugal and efficient

This year's provincial and municipal "two sessions"-the local People's Congresses and committees of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference-concluded earlier this month. They followed a simpler blueprint than usual, as luxurious banquets were replaced by simple buffets, and practices such as sending gifts to deputies and offering them expensive hotel rooms, were less evident.

The more frugal work style adopted is the result of the country's new leadership's determination to curb the extravagance associated with public events, as well as its promotion of a pragmatic working style to raise efficiency, says a People's Daily commentary.

How the provincial two sessions are conducted is never a small matter, as both are held at the public expense to discuss public issues. And since a considerable number of representatives have social influence, their indulging in profligate behavior has a large and negative impact upon the whole of society. The wasteful extravagance aroused widespread anger.