Extravagance can be seen everywhere in people's everyday lives. But compared with extravagance within the Party which has been target of public criticism, people seem indifferent to their own excesses, says an article on gmw.cn. Excerpts:

From luxurious wedding dinners and competition in gift giving, to the huge popularity of luxury goods, extravagance can be seen everywhere in people's daily lives. Therefore, this unhealthy trend needs to be stopped and well-governed both within the Party and society. This will rely on the joint efforts of government officials and ordinary people to cultivate an upright style of working and living.

Immoderate extravagant consumption produces false prosperity and alienates different social groups, it affects social harmony and stability and, worse, will lead the country to decline and even collapse. Extravagant wedding ceremonies epitomize this unhealthy trend, and a quick glimpse at people's lives will show the prevalence of ostentation and extravagance in society, a result of the twisted values and money worship.

Also, it is worth thinking about whether it is necessary to be extravagant and how to live a healthy life if one is rich. At present, some people who got rich early have been reduced to fickleness and boredom while many of the heirs-to-fortunes spend money like water. All these bizarre phenomena show that not only China's economy, but also our way of life are badly in need of transformation.

The lifestyle transformation means after the improvement in living standards, we should get rid of the excessive individual pursuit of material comfort, and seek a beautiful spiritual life by caring more about others, the rest of society and nature. As a matter of fact, there are a whole lot of things more attractive than living an extravagant life.

(China Daily 11/04/2013 page9)