Local gov'ts cut down on meeting excesses

Fifteen Chinese provincial-level governments have held their annual people's congresses and political consultative conferences since the beginning of this year, and all of them have improved the style of their conferences, people.com.cn reported on Thursday.

The Eight Provisions adopted at the meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in December 2012 pointed out that both the central and local governments must improve their general work methods, for example by simplifying receptions, cutting down paperwork and enforcing frugality.

During this year's conferences, all 15 provincial-level governments have strictly followed the central government's Eight Provisions for receptions and meetings.

In Fujian, no decorative flowers, balloons or red carpets can be found at the conference center where delegates stay, except a reception sign in the lobby.

In Zhejiang, the restaurant provides 10 types of home-style cooked foods for delegates, such as roast pork and bamboo and fried vegetables. There is no wine or liquor. A sign with the words "No leftovers, no Smoking" has been put on each table in response to the national "Empty Plate" campaign.

In Beijing, the number of people working at conferences has been reduced by 10 percent. No professional art groups or individuals have been invited to perform at the celebration parties. All the performances have been organized and performed by the delegates themselves, and prize draws have been cut.

In Henan, the opening ceremony for all the annual sessions lasted only 84 minutes, and the speeches and reports were concise, thorough and well-organized.

In the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, documents and files are printed according to needs, so there were no unnecessary documents issued to delegates.

In the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, delegates spent only two minutes at the reception centers receiving their attendance certificates, documents and accommodation arrangements.

While interviewed by the People's Daily, a delegate said that simplifying procedures of conferences gain popular support of the people. "Delegates can have more time to think over the welfare of the public and do their duties," said the delegate.