Lawmakers discuss plan to gradually lift retirement age in China

Lawmakers discuss plan to gradually lift retirement age in China

China’s top legislature has reviewed a plan to gradually raise the retirement age, months after the ruling Communist Party’s Central Committee proposed it be lifted in a “voluntary and flexible” way. The retirement age has been in place since 1951 and is among the lowest in the world. It is currently 60 for men, 55 … Read more

Opinion | Why are young Chinese lying flat? They need hope and opportunities

Opinion | Why are young Chinese lying flat? They need hope and opportunities

Many young people in China have been “lying flat” – or doing the bare minimum to get by – in recent years, or at least talking about it. Local government cadres have meanwhile been accused of lying flat at work. The social movement known as tang ping in Chinese grew out of a meme that … Read more

China says no to ‘throwing eggs’: poker-style game loved by party officials loses shine

China says no to ‘throwing eggs’: poker-style game loved by party officials loses shine

State employees in China are being advised against playing guandan, a new poker-like card game highly popular among Communist Party officials, on fears that it may spread a “negative atmosphere” at work, the Post has learned. Guandan – literally “throwing eggs” in Chinese – had taken public sector workers by storm after being officially endorsed … Read more

Chinese civil servant’s complaint about life in remote desert posting stirs debate about public service versus personal freedom

Chinese civil servant’s complaint about life in remote desert posting stirs debate about public service versus personal freedom

In the now-deleted post Gu, who is believed to be in her mid-twenties, complained about feeling “trapped” in the industrial city dominated by iron and steel working, and worried that she had “sold her freedom and soul”. She said she chose to accept the job last year despite having other job offers because she was … Read more

China’s Xi Jinping calls for ‘loyalty and honesty’ from younger officials as morale runs low

China’s Xi Jinping calls for ‘loyalty and honesty’ from younger officials as morale runs low

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday urged young and middle-aged officials to be loyal, honest and “keen on reform and innovation” in an effort to rally morale and encourage unity in the face of economic and social risks. “[Young and middle-aged officials] must actively practice loyalty and honesty towards the party, and must make their … Read more

China’s cadres urged to connect with the masses as part of education campaign, but some question its methods

China’s cadres urged to connect with the masses as part of education campaign, but some question its methods

To mark the anniversary of the practice, Xi’s teachings have been promoted as part of an education campaign for cadres. In late December, hundreds of officials gathered in Beijing to attend a forum chaired by Politburo member Li Ganjie, with similar events held around the country. However, while cadres are studying and imitating Xi’s ideas … Read more