To save paper, Chinese delegates get free laptop
China has spent 10 million yuan (1.5 million dollars) on computers for thousands of members of an advisory body attending the annual parliamentary session -- in an effort to reduce paper waste.
The 2,000-plus delegates to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference -- from Mao Zedong's grandson to former Olympic champion hurdler Liu Xiang -- received a free Lenovo laptop worth 5,000 yuan (730 dollars).
Delegates to the CPPCC, which convened on Wednesday, two days before the National People's Congress, can keep the laptops after the 10-day session finishes, the Guangzhou Daily said.
Other CPPCC delegates include film director Zhang Yimou and the Panchen Lama, China's controversial choice as the second-highest Buddhist leader for Tibet.
(c) 2010 AFP