Communist Party changes style in effort to win back 'lost trust'

The Communist Party's new leadership is certainly wielding a new broom when it comes to revamping the working style of top officials.

Just over a fortnight after they assumed control of the world's largest political party, general secretary Xi Jinping , Politburo Standing Committee No 2 Li Keqiang and party discipline chief Wang Qishan have revealed a style in stark contrast to that of their predecessors.

They have abandoned old customs, refusing to read from prepared scripts when giving public speeches, and have encouraged officials in meetings they have chaired to do the same. They have also tried to use the language of the common people, throwing out the jargon and ideological verbiage of the party's fourth-generation leadership, headed by President Hu Jintao .

They also appear more confident, relaxed and easy-going than their predecessors.

Xi, the president-in-waiting, delivered two nationally televised speeches - carried by state broadcaster CCTV - without using notes. He also exhorted party members to refrain from empty talk and focus on the practical.

In internal party meetings, both Li and Wang told participants not to read from prepared scripts.

In chairing a seminar on fighting graft last Friday, Wang stopped speakers when they began their speeches by addressing him as "respected secretary Wang".