Bridge tactician Deng still inspires power players
Thanks to Deng Xiaoping, bridge has become a popular mind game among mainland senior officials and executives of state-owned big corporations.
Knowing it was the favourite pastime of the once-paramount leader, a sizable chunk of the mainland leadership - in their younger days - learnt how to play bridge, a game for which the two richest Americans, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, regularly find time.
It is also a passport for making it to the top - former premier Li Peng, Premier Wen Jiabao and Vice-Premier Wu Yi have all gathered for a game once in a while.
For no other reason than respect, Deng remained honorary chairman of the Chinese Contract Bridge Association (CCBA) for 10 years after his death, succeeded by former vice-premier Li Lanqing only this past Wednesday.
National Social Security Fund chairman Xiang Huaicheng was appointed CCBA chairman in the Great Hall of the People on the same day.