Chinese Premier Li Keqiang vowed to deepen the fight against corruption on Tuesday. He urged authorities above the county level to disclose and further detail expenditures on government-funded overseas trips, receptions and vehicles.
Official statistics show that the revenue of China's upscale restaurants fell by 3.3 percent in the first two months of this year. Beijing's fight against extravagance is showing its presence in economic statistics.
The new "eight-point" guidelines to improve government work styles have permeated people's thinking. This big move not only touches upon the network of interests within the government, but is inevitably leading to a decline in the consumption of luxury products. This will hurt the interests of some enterprises.
The public should show support in this regard. Fights against graft and extravagance will remain superficial if society hesitates when economic indices slump.
The practices of officials have become intertwined with society and consumption structures. And this will remain true in the future. Improving work styles of the Party, the government and the army will prompt not only self-reform of the authorities, but also further social reform.
Previously the prosperity of China's high-end catering industry was partly related to extravagances from government spending. Such prosperity did not benefit public interests. Squeezing out this "twisted prosperity" will facilitate healthier development.
When some officials squander taxpayers' money, it goes against the essence of a market economy. Enterprises whose see their interests being harmed in this ongoing anti-corruption fight must wake up in time and adapt.
It is a serious misjudgment to perceive the ongoing fight as merely a temporary campaign. The anti-corruption drive has begun, and there is no going back for China.
The Chinese economy must adapt to shrinking consumption of luxury goods. The central authorities should send clearer signals and spur companies to truly change their business mentality and focus on adopting healthy market demands.
This will be a wise choice for both businesses and the nation at large. China cannot be kidnapped by twisted prosperity.
Dwindling consumption due to lower off-the-books government spending and officials' proactive refusal to engage in upscale consumption should be compensated by the creation of more healthy consumption.
China has a colossal population, but effective domestic demand is growing slower than expected.
At the moment, it's both practical and pivotal to rapidly fuel domestic demand so as to win long-term public support for the government's improvement in working styles.
This is an urgent test for the Chinese government. It's time for both the government and the public to show their firm support by working together to fuel healthy domestic demand.