As the founder of Lenovo, the mainland's largest computer maker, Liu Chuanzhi is one of China's most admired and influential business leaders. Millions of mainlanders snap to attention whenever he dispenses his down-to-earth wisdom.
So last week, when he took a dig apparently aimed at the mainland customs department's unpopular directive to impose hefty duties on inbound travellers carrying iPhones or iPads, it further inflamed the already boisterous debate.
'The perfectly good, ordinary people have to pay customs duties on items worth only a few thousand yuan. Why go after such petty cash?' he said. 'Normally we should write a letter to the government, and I think I should write one myself. Since we have such large foreign exchange reserves, wouldn't it be a good thing if we spent some, which would help lessen the pressure on the yuan?'
Liu made those comments to reporters in Wuhan last Tuesday, when he also urged the government to boost imports and stimulate domestic consumption. Since then, many internet users and businessmen, including Soho chairman Pan Shiyi , have taken up Liu's call.
It is unclear whether Liu has sent the letter, but let's hope the central government has heeded his call.
Indeed, ever since the South China Morning Post was among the first overseas media publications to break the news report in late October, customs' controversial decision to tax individual users of iPhones and iPads has been a focus of rising criticism.