China has called upon officials to desist from participating in a widely popular poker game because it is impeding their work, an issue that reveals Chinese President Xi Jinping’s longstanding irritation with millions of public servants in the country.
“The throwing eggs game has taken off in the past two years and has become the preoccupation of many people,” said Beijing Youth Daily on Tuesday. The publication was referring to a game that now serves as a major way for businesspeople, bankers and government functionaries to mingle.
According to the newspaper, “In some places, excessive obsession with this ‘poison bullet’ affects the working style of cadres.” It further stated that China is “in front of unprecedentedly broad development space and growth period, therefore whether we should grit our teeth and fight or sit at the card table every day; I think it is crystal clear.”
Another commentary published by paper on Wednesday described exorbitant playing of this game as “extremely harmful”.
These commentaries remind us that despite rising to become one of China’s most powerful leaders in decades, Xi often faces difficulties persuading lower-level officials to carry out his policies. In 2021 after officials were criticized for moving slowly in the face of a natural disaster and Covid-19 outbreak, Xi called on officials across China act more boldly when necessary.
Additionally, there have been signs lately that his anti-corruption campaign since he became president in 2012 may be wearing thin among officials who would rather keep their heads down than take action that could land them in hot water. At an important economic meeting last December he lambasted local party bosses for dawdling or misinterpreting instructions from above.
The card game referred by Beijing Youth Daily is know as guandan which includes four players. It currently represents one more way for locals to tap into or boost their guanxi; a term referring to exclusive social groups, influential connections and relationships used to facilitate business.
Like in other nations, having guanxi can open doors for business in China — and be a breeding ground for corruption.
