News You Might Have Missed: Politics, Plans and Beijing Tops Shanghai

The National People’s Congress (NPC) and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) have finally wrapped up. In their wake they've left behind many fashion reports and policy rumors, not to mention the political fallout. For those who like their news Beijing-specific, we've got pollution plans, subway updates and a new ranking where Beijing beats Shanghai.

While delegates were officially in town for the political meetings, they also served as mannequins for some high-fashion trends. For fashionistas, this was a chance to check out what happens when politics meets luxury shopping. Apparently, Hermes belts, Pucci jackets and Louis Vuitton bags have been all the rage. Netizens have had plenty to say; sites like MinistryofTofu.com and Chinasmack.com have been rounding up the comments.

As for those who are more interested in the political outcomes of the two meetings, there are now rumors swirling around about some controversial policy proposals that came up, such as making the disliked Spring Festival Gala a seven-day event, criminalizing Nanjing Massacre-denial and legalizing prostitution. All these proposals are purely speculative at the moment, but they do make for more colorful reading than economic reform.

One plan that is actually occurring is the city’s efforts to switch from coal to cleaner forms of energy. Beijing has already announced that it will curtail its overall coal consumption; now they are adding that they will be coal-free within the Fifth Ring Road by 2015. Hopefully this will end the regular occurrence of flight delays due to “fog.”

One key part of the solution to Beijing’s pollution problem is to promote public transportation, and the city has continued to extend the subway system at a breakneck pace while it makes improvements to the existing lines. Line 1 is getting rid of its oldest trains and will also be cutting down on the wait time between trains.

Finally, Beijing has bested Shanghai once again. In The Economist’s ranking of cities based on competitiveness, Beijing comes out as number one in China. The new index (which seems to be their Livability study minus cost consideration) “rank[s] cities according to their demonstrated ability to attract capital, businesses, talent and visitors" and compiles data based on "economic strength, human capital, institutional effectiveness, financial maturity, global appeal, physical capital, environment and natural hazards, and social and cultural character."

Photo: Chinasmack.com, Economist.com