Banned! The 11 taboo topics that China's CPPCC members should avoid
Other subjects delegates must avoid include party and state affairs, topics banned by state laws, suggestions about personnel arrangements, private matters and the names of whistle-blowers
Officially there are 11 taboo topics for proposals made to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference - so much so, it seems, that many delegates attending this year's plenum in Beijing have never heard of them.
The constitution states that the political advisory body has the right to take part in the political process and discuss state affairs.
But only up to a point.
Proposals cannot broach Communist Party or state secrets, or topics banned by the state; suggestions about personnel arrangements; certain lawsuits; scientific research; work promotions; whistle-blowing that mentions names; people facing anti-corruption inquiries, or those on trial, or being investigated by prosecutors; and proposals with no concrete suggestions, according to the CPPCC working regulations revised in 2011.
At least a dozen members at the plenum said they were never informed of the restrictions.
"I've been a CPPCC member for four terms, and no one ever told us about rules on what can't be discussed," said Tan Wenjing, a delegate from Guangxi .
Some delegates, however, were aware of the boundaries. Xu Zengping, the middleman in the purchase of China's first aircraft carrier, said he knew what was off-topic and never mentioned private matters.
