The politics behind China’s banned banquets

The politics behind China’s banned banquets

Staff Reporter

2014-02-12

Extravagant banquets may now be frowned upon by China’s ruling Communist Party, but they were once considered one of the most important tools for climbing the political ladder in China, reports Duowei News, an outlet run by overseas Chinese.

To rehabilitate the image of party officials who have come to be associated with lives of excess and extravagant gatherings, Chinese president and Communist Party chief Xi Jinping has made a concerted effort to dissuade cadres from attending banquets since the 18th National Congress in November 2012, when he took the reins of the party.

In the past, however, details of these luncheons and dinner parties often became major talking points in political circles as they tended to reveal allegiances and enmities, not to mention potentially questionable business dealings. An official dining at the private residence of a local businessman, in particular, would have been regarded as a red flag for anti-graft authorities.

Former Anhui provincial deputy governor Ni Fake, for example, was often seen dining with businessman Ji Lichang, who later contributed to Ni’s downfall for bribery. Former Chongqing police chief Wang Lijun, currently serving 15 years in prison for corruption and attempted defection, was also famous for hosting lavish dinner parties, and even patented a special turning mechanism to make it easier for guests to reach the food at large tables.

In 2005, a couple of new chiefs of a village in Guangzhou, the capital of southern China’s Guangdong province, made headlines by throwing a 10-day feast for 9,000 villagers. Despite the best of intentions, many villagers did not appreciate the gesture, with some saying that inviting so many people displayed a lack of understanding of what it takes to please people.

According to Duowei, there are many rules and etiquette associated with official banquets. For instance, an official’s appetite is said to reflect his political ambitions, while an ability to drink copious amounts of alcohol is said to reflect approachability. Even the seating arrangements will reflect the closeness of people’s relationships with the party’s host, while everything from the tablecloth to the shape of the table could reveal something about the host and the attendees.

The news outlet also outlined the “four importants” of an official banquet. First of all, it’s not who invited you, it’s who else has been invited that’s important. Secondly, it’s not who orders the dishes, it’s who you are sitting next to that’s important. Thirdly, it’s not what you eat, it’s what you say that’s important. And lastly, it’s not where you eat, it’s the final outcome that’s important.

The website of a Hengyang city reception venue in south-central China’s Hunan province says that tables at a banquet should not be more than 1.5 meters apart, while the host’s main table should not be more than 2 m from the tables of his nearest guests. No table should be closer than 1.2 m to the wall.

Wang Qishan, a member of China’s all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee, has reportedly stopped attending official banquets since being named chief of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, China’s top anti-graft watchdog. Instead, he is said to be only inviting old friends to his house for home-made meals so that he can observe party rules without losing touch with people.

Xi Jinping has told party cadres that unless required for work purposes, officials should avoid banquets and go home for meals whenever possible. However, Duowei says that despite the image of officials loving extravagant banquets, many of them were already tired of always eating out and would actually prefer to eat at home.