To paraphrase a certain Scottish explorer, it's democracy Jim, but not as we know it. As part of a massive re-organisation of officials, the central leadership is introducing new measures:

China is planning a massive reshuffle of local politicians, linking promotions to how well they adhere to the central leadership's efforts to address social imbalances, an official newspaper said. The moves may affect more than 100,000 officials in township, county, city and provincial posts ahead of a party congress next year that is likely to seal changes in the country's ruling circle under President Hu Jintao.

"The criteria for promotion will not [be based only on gross domestic product] growth and other political achievements, it will also [be based on] the level of popular satisfaction with their administration," the People's Daily, the Communist Party's mouthpiece, said Wednesday, citing comments by the party's organization chief, He Guoqiang. It said the decisions about promotions and demotions be made based on the "scientific outlook on development" - the party's catchphrase for balanced economic and social growth that places fresh emphasis on social equality, especially for poor farmers.