Xi's smogbound hutong tour boosts populist image(2)

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R), also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the Yu'er Hutong, an alleyway in Dongcheng District, during an inspection tour in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

POLLUTION BATTLE

Xi's tour came as Beijing and other areas in north China have been shrouded in heavy smog in recent days. China's Ministry of Environmental Protection said earlier this week that 800,000 square km of land in China suffered heavy air pollution.

On Tuesday, the city maintained an orange pollution alert, as the density of PM2.5, or particles smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter, measured over 400 in the city proper.

The smog drew wide social complaints and criticism despite authorities' efforts in addressing the issue, and left masks in Beijing out of stock. But Xi did not wear a mask.

The heavy air pollution eased on Wednesday evening as a cold front arrived.

When visiting the water plant, Xi said environmental protection in the megacity of Beijing is a job for systematic engineering, and much attention should be paid to it as air pollution is a major issue concerning people's livelihood.

"We should treat both symptoms and root causes of environmental pollution, focusing both on emergency and regular measures," said the President, adding that the issue should be addressed through coordination between different areas and with action by the whole society.

At a symposium after the tour on Wednesday, Xi called for strengthened efforts to control smog. He said the priority is to limit PM2.5 by reducing dependence on coal, strictly controlling vehicles and adjusting industry structures.

He also urged related departments to strictly implement an index system used to evaluate officials' performances, and to strengthen law enforcement on environmental issues.

Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli attended the symposium.

CLOSE-TO-PEOPLE STYLE

Xi's surprise hutong tour typified his political style, which is quite different from his predecessors.

At the end of last year, Xi queued for pork buns at a Beijing eatery, paying for his own bill, sitting down and having lunch there.

The move was widely endorsed by the general population, and led to a rush on steamed buns from the chain store.

Wang Yukai, a professor with the Chinese Academy of Governance, said the current leadership of the Communist Party of China is paying more attention to the building of a populist image.

Xi's move narrowed the gap between him and the people, and even the authorities as a whole, according to the professor.

Pictures of Xi's tour went viral online.

"Breathing the same air, sharing the same fate," one netizen posted on Twitter-like microblog service Sina Weibo.

"Xi has abundant grassroots work experience and understands the hardship of ordinary people," Wang said. "More importantly, he knows that no matter how grand the blueprint is, reforms cannot be implemented without people's endorsement."