Before taking measure to shore up the local economy, the government must study whether demand exists for business they intend to spur, says an article on the website www.cctv.com. The following is an excerpt:

Guangdong province has recently taken measures to stimulate mass participation in tours and recreational activities. These measures are said to be aimed at "spurring consumption and expanding demand", a slogan quoted by local governments recently to justify excessive spending.

Usually, when the economy slips into the doldrums, recreation is the first thing slashed from most people's budgets.