Beijing delegates banned from ‘checking social media, playing games on phone’ at congress
Some representatives were criticised last year by the Communist Party mouthpiece the People’s Daily for ‘breach of duty’ during parliamentary sessions
Delegates from Beijing attending the National People’s Congress face tougher rules of conduct, according to a newspaper report, including a ban on checking social media on their mobile phones during meetings.
Delegates from the capital are also barred from smoking in public places or playing games on their mobile phones during debates and forums, the Beijing Times reports.
They also have to report to the delegation’s chief if they have to miss meetings, the report said.
For all the latest news from China’s parliamentary sessions click here
The Communist Party newspaper the People’s Daily published an opinion piece last year criticising delegates at the annual parliamentary meeting in Beijing for playing games on their phones during sessions.
It described the behaviour as a breach of duty.
Delegates from the capital include government officials, company executives, university chiefs and representatives from the education, science, culture and health sectors.
The National People’s Congress opens on Thursday.