"This is an opportunity to portray itself as a forward-thinking government that cares about its citizens," said Austin Strange of the University of Hong Kong.
www.nbcnews.com
"Communist China has relentlessly pursued economic growth for decades, creating more billionaires than the United States, lifting 800 million people out of poverty, but leaving another 600 million to live on $150 a month.
Now, President Xi Jinping is planning what some experts say would be a dramatic about-face, trying to restructure Chinese society by cracking down on the country's newly minted super-rich and redistributing wealth more evenly among its population of 1.4 billion.
Some experts believe that, for the party, there is a self-preservation rationale behind the goal of better income equality. For years the Communist Party has staked its legitimacy on growth that has outpaced that of any other major economy; now that that is slowing, it may feel it has to offer a new promise: equality.
This message resonates with Cao Xinyin, 19, a college student in Beijing whose demographic — university-educated urbanite — the Communist Party is keen to keep on its side.
'Common prosperity means that everybody can live a high-quality life,' she said. 'People will live a healthier life, be better behaved, have a happier mood and will be more likely to pursue and realize their dreams.'"
Yes - the 600 million of you will be happier unless you're one of the bastards whose wealth is taken away to create this "common" prosperity.
"'Common prosperity is a good idea, nice to hear but difficult to realize,' said Qin Guiying, 52, who used to work as a farmer in Sichuan province but now works at a car wash in Beijing.
'The main problem is corruption of local officials,' she added. 'I think the rich people will remain rich, while the poor will remain poor because of corruption.'"
This bloke seems to get it.