Zhang Yining becomes a political pin-up girl

While watching the ‘exciting’ TV coverage about the 17th National Congress, I noticed a familiar face on the screen.  I am accustomed to seeing Chinese table tennis star Zhang Yining on CCTV5 thrashing her opponents, but the woman with the nickname ‘cold-faced assassin’ has been on a wider variety of channels this week because she is the youngest member of Beijing’s congress delegation.  I know she must be a smart cookie to beat her opponents day in and day out, but what effective input does she offer the world of Chinese politics?  Zhang Yining’s token inclusion into the National Congress, as well as many other stars can be interpreted as a sign that the National Congress is nothing but a political snooze fest, with no real meaning because all the decisions have been made beforehand.  For example, Chinese analysts already seem to know the make-up of the next politburo standing committee, even though it hasn’t been officially announced. Zhang Yining, a member of the Beijing delegation at the 17th National Congress

Posted: 10:40 PM, 20/10/2007 in China Share on Facebook

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