They're the richest captains of industry in one of the most important industrial centres in southern China but they had few words to offer when they gathered for the annual session of Dongguan's political advisory body on Tuesday.
The Southern Metropolis News reported that instead of offering feedback on the government's work over the year, an uncomfortable, "embarrassing" near-silence reigned as the titans gathered for a session of the political consultative conference's industry and commerce panel.
"I don't have any [proposal]," said Chen Runguang, a real estate developer with an estimated fortune of more than 8 billion yuan (HK$10 billion).
"Thank you, the Communist Party, thank new China," Chen added.
Most of the local business leaders sat through the entire meeting without saying a word publicly, many opting instead to play with their smartphones, the report said.
Hotel and real estate tycoon Zhang Foen killed time by smoking and chatting to people sitting nearby, it said.