Editorials
The power to change
(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-01-05 07:45
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We bear no grudge against Microsoft, those who invented PowerPoint, or those who take advantage of the convenient tool to organize and present their ideas. Everyone does it from time to time.
But it's hard not to feel sorry for chief administrators in districts and counties in the jurisdiction of Chongqing, who are required to present their performance reports in PowerPoint formats.
We know very well the many benefits of the popular software and we know some high officials are proud of their proficiency in using it. But we do not think that suffices to make it the official format, or tool, for public officials' performance reports.
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We are sure the leaders in Chongqing will not be so ridiculous as to turn their annual performance evaluation into a contest examining public officials' capabilities in using the not-that-new software and we appreciate the desire for "revolutionary change" in official meetings.
Many Chinese officials are famous for their patience in sitting through protracted meetings that feature empty talk full of official jargon. Such meetings have become the curse of Chinese officialdom and cause tremendous waste each day. In spite of numerous calls and appeals for change, there is no sign of it happening in the foreseeable future.
The PowerPoint proponents in Chongqing display a near-naive faith that imposing it on speech-givers from the grassroots will improve things. We agree a mandatory format will make a difference but it is not "revolutionary" at all. Imposing PowerPoint upon local officials can be portrayed as an innovation, or perhaps, "trail-blazing", as the local media and some scholars put it. Yet to whom is it meaningful?"
Since more likely than not those listening to the reports can spare the time, such changes make little sense to society at large. Instead of making changes to the way officials report to their superiors, we are more interested in seeing changes in the way they carry out their duties. We would rather see busy officials concentrate on providing services to their communities instead of wasting time picking and choosing pictures and compiling tables for PowerPoint presentations.
Our guess is the man on the street in Chongqing does not care if a certain official can do an impressive presentation using PowerPoint.
(China Daily 01/05/2010 page8)
