Mind your behaviour! Xi tells wealthy businessmen to ‘set a good example’ amid criticism of China’s nouveau riche
President Xi Jinping has told the mainland’s wealthy businessmen to toe the party line and set a good example to the public, warning them to be mindful of their behaviour and words.
“Many of you are successful entrepreneurs and public figures,” Xi said. “You should treasure and maintain your public image as your behaviour and your words have a strong impact on society, as an example to others.”
Xi was speaking at a panel discussion with delegates from the China Democratic National Construction Association and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce.
Both represent the private business sector at the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the Communist Party’s top advisory body, which is meeting in Beijing until next week.
Xi said wealthy businessmen should maintain political loyalty to the party and follow the socialist path. He asked them to “actively exercise core values of socialism” and to show “their love to the motherland, the people and the party”.
Xi’s comments, delivered on Friday and published by Xinhua on Tuesday, follow increasing controversy over the behaviour of China’s nouveau riche, or tuhao, many of whom have been criticised for unruly behaviour and flaunting their lifestyles.