Less is more at annual meets

Fewer staff, shorter speeches, modest dinners and less printing ― meetings of local legislators and political advisers across China are getting slimmer, simpler and greener.

Having cut down on the number of staff members involved in the Shanghai People's Congress by 20 percent from last year's meeting, the organizer also reduced spending on food and accessories.

"The budget for the first meeting of the 14th Shanghai People's Congress was nearly 18 percent lower than last year," said Ni Yinliang, a senior officer of the organizing office of the congress.

The suggested length of speeches is eight minutes in most regions of the country.

"I've noticed that the majority of deputies gave shorter speeches in discussions with better quality advice, which enables us to finish the meetings on time and leaves more time to submit our written comments and proposals," said Zhuang Shaoqin, a Shanghai lawmaker and head of the city's Fengxian district.

Similarly in Shanxi province, the number of attendees for this year's two sessions decreased by 144 and the number of staff members was cut by 295, and the length of the congress was reduced from eight days to six and half days, said Ma Wei, director of the organization department of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference's Shanxi committee.

Decorations for meetings across the country have been simplified.

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