An atmosphere of seeking truth and being practical is blooming in China, which overseas media is attributing to the recent leadership transition. Many newly appointed senior officials have vowed to promote clean governance and fulfill their duties. All these things will help boost social confidence.

Officials at various levels have reached the consensus that they should take the initiative in seeking truth and being practical. During the CPC's long period of governance, red tape has gradually built up, despite the authorities' efforts to rein it in.

Changing this is not only a requirement for the CPC to improve itself, but also essential due to pressure from public opinion in the Internet era.

Sticking to the way of seeking truth and being practical is not easy in any society. Western countries with efficient democratic systems still witness internal friction and political stagnation.

Chinese people have a strong consensus on the necessity of truth-seeking and pragmatism. However, the obstacles come not only from officialdom but also society as a whole. In China, public opinion appears sharp, but tends to oversimplify social dynamics. On the Internet, many of the slogans advocated are, in essence, also empty words.

Take the latest sex video scandal in Chongqing. The official involved deserves serious investigation and punishment. The whole case involved a complex tangle of interests, but was simply interpreted as a duel between good and evil.

On the Internet, many are used to telling vivid stories in an "all-black" China, where the little man takes on the authorities in a hopeless struggle. This is reminiscent of the authorities' depiction of an "all-bright" China in previous times. The two show the same type of thinking. It is the responsibility of the whole of society to make changes happen.

In recent years, there have been many officials who have become accustomed to offering hackneyed phrases, and there are also public opinion leaders who chant stereotyped, grandiloquent rhetoric. In order to solve China's problems, the authorities should be sincere while society actively provides support.

In this complex country, some problems are caused by the system, and some are stubborn diseases in a huge society. Criticism can certainly put pressure on the authorities to get things done, but they may also divert part of society's attention. After all, solving problems requires pragmatism and focus.

We hope the authorities can take the initiative in reducing empty talk, be more practical, and help society better understand social realities. But during this process, public opinion leaders should neither stand by idly nor turn against such efforts.