The “Chongqing model” of governance has gotten a lot of attention in the past year as Party chef Bo Xilai has instituted policies that glorify the Communist Party’s roots and a “red culture” drive. Now, a very different model is being implemented in Guangdong, and the Sydney Morning Herald looks at the differences:
The affirmation by Guangdong party chief Wang Yang of a more liberal ”Guangdong model” goes some way to answering a plea by many intellectuals for an ideological and practical alternative to the state-centric ”Chongqing model” that has been aggressively pushed by that city’s party chief, Bo Xilai.
Mr Wang juxtaposed his political preferences with those of Mr Bo but played down what is reputed to be a deepening rivalry between the pair ahead of next year’s crucial 18th party congress.
”There is no competition between the Guangdong model and the Chongqing model,” Mr Wang told The Age, after being asked whether his views would prevail.
Mr Wang said both models should be seen as part of the larger process of ”exploring”.
”There is no contradiction between them,” he said.