In keeping with the sober, workman-like style displayed by the leadership which took office in China two years ago, this month's annual sessions of the NPC and CPPCC have emphasized solid, steady reforms rather than spectacular changes. This generation of leaders clearly recognizes that China in the early 21st century faces fundamental and vitally important challenges, in which it will become apparent what kind of country China will become, and what its place in the world will be. This is not a moment for extravagant gestures.

As usual over the last two years, the leadership concentrated heavily on a concept which I believe does not exist in any country outside China: that of the "work style" of the leadership and their officials. By this, of course, is meant the personal integrity of state servants and the abolition of extravagance, corruption and the abuse of privilege; precisely those activities which make governments unpopular and undermine popular support for their efforts. Addressing provincial delegates, Liu Yunshan, a member of the Political Bureau Standing Committee, underlined President Xi Jinping's words at an earlier panel discussion: officials should "maintain unwavering belief, pursue integrity, avoid involvement with vulgar interests, and resist harmful trends and crooked practices."

His Standing Committee colleague Wang Qishan outlined the program of the Central Committee for Discipline Inspection, which he leads: the aim of this body is to strengthen the organs of supervision within the Party structures, and Wang did not shy away from recognizing that it has got its work cut out. The problem is that the official abuses most resented by the people do not take place at the center, under the eyes of the top leadership; they are mostly at the grass roots level, instances of petty corruption and abuse which nobody notices except the citizens directly affected. And some of them are affected very badly. Wang pledged to gradually expand the scope of inspection to cover all local governments, departments and institutions. A tall order indeed!