China’s cadres urged to connect with the masses as part of education campaign, but some question its methods
- Communist Party officials study President Xi Jinping’s teachings on ‘grass-roots’ outreach – ideas the Chinese leader first promoted 35 years ago
- Some observers praise programme’s effectiveness while others dismiss senior officials’ visits to local communities as publicity stunts

After hearing complaints about local water quality in the southeastern city of Hefei, the provincial party boss visited the neighbourhood to take a sip from the tap – as reporters and camera crews looked on – to assure residents it was safe to drink.
However, while cadres are studying and imitating Xi’s ideas on how to connect with the masses, which have been dubbed the “four downs” in a reference to going “down to the grass roots”, some question the effectiveness of the methods and the education campaign.
A video of Anhui party boss Han taking a swig of Hefei tap water attracted plenty of “thumbs up” reactions on social media. But the 47,000 comments posted below the clip included many who appeared confused, with some asking how Han could check the quality of the water by drinking it.