New | Bring your own toothbrush: Austerity drive seen in the little details at NPC, CPPCC talks
Not a drop of tea or water wasted, paper use kept at a minimum and banquets served without fanfare
Signs that the Chinese government’s fight against excess is in full force could not be escaped at this year’s toned-down Chinese parliamentary meetings.
Some delegates were asked by organisers to bring their own toothbrushes, slippers and daily necessities instead of relying on hotel accoutrements. Many delegations from the provinces and cities chose to forgo chartered flights and travelled coach or by train to Beijing.
No red carpets, no flowers, no welcome banners - these are good [developments]
“Since last year, austerity and frugality have become common in the meetings. No red carpets, no flowers, no welcome banners - these are good [developments],” said Lei Xianhe, a famous film director and a Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) delegate.
China kick-started two key political meetings on Wednesday: one for the CPPCC and another for the nation's top lawmaking body, the National People’s Congress (NPC).
In a crowded function room at the Beijing International Hotel, where a group of delegates were discussing educational issues, dozens of mineral water bottles were seen in a corner, taped with blank labels for the names of delegates, who made sure not drink a new bottle before the old one was finished.
Some even took their leftovers home.