Illustration: Peter C. Espina/GT

 At a recent workers' sports meeting in Anqing, Anhui Province, the local Party chief Yu Aihua delivered a speech at the opening ceremony with notes written on scrap paper. This thrifty practice won him more praise than the speech itself. Many hailed it as an example of locals responding positively toward the central government's thrift campaign. Some local officials revealed to the media how dedicated this Party chief is. However, sharp-eyed netizens noticed that the mineral water placed on the table for attending officials was from a local high-grade brand, and some began to point their fingers at the public stunt of local officials. The "dedicated" Party chief seems to have lost his shine. For such officials, it's a lose-lose situation; ostentatious thrift will get them as many buffets from the public as heftily displayed bling.