The article was based on a questionnaire looking into the social and political attitudes of private business people in the capital city.

The findings show that they view business growth, a good personal image and support of public welfare as three most important factors for lifting their social status.

Becoming a deputy to the people's congress in various levels, a member of the people's political consultative conference, a member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and maintaining good relationships with government officials are also high on the list of politically aware entrepreneurs.

Those surveyed paid tribute to the achievements by the private sector to date and expressed their confidence of further growth in the sector.

Some 75.5 per cent of them said that development of the private sector had brought positive contributions to society, while 30.6 per cent believed that predominantly State-owned firms could be substituted in all but those essential services and industries.

To an extent, the mainstream economic and political opinions of private business tally with China's fundamental lines for economic restructuring, said the article.

Their economic and political ambitions cannot, however, go beyond the country's general track of economic reform and social development, it added.

The prosperity of the private sector is a result of China's major strategic move to free up the economy two decades ago. Today the Chinese economy features diverse ownership styles with the State sector remaining dominant.

The private business community rated highly the country's political and economic situation. Among those surveyed, 68.6 per cent said they are satisfied with the country's overall situation, while 84.5 per cent of them expressed their confidence in the political environment of the next couple of years and 85.1 per cent were optimistic about the nation's economic prospects.

The survey showed that the bosses of private firms have contact with government officials at large. And 41.1 per cent of them admitted that they have close contact with those in government. A quarter of those surveyed consider making friends with government officials is an important way to improve their own political standing.

Those in private business are eager to participate in politics.

According to the survey, 4.8 per cent are deputies of people's congresses at various levels and another 48.1 per cent are willing to be; 8.2 per cent have become members to people's political consultative conferences and 45.9 per cent have that aim. People's political consultative conferences are leading advisory bodies to the government.

Although both private company heads and ordinary citizens believe that group opinion is stronger than a lone voice, the former seem more willing to join social organizations.

This is demonstrated by the figures, with 26.6 per cent of them willing to join a voluntary social organization, while only 7.9 per cent of ordinary people express such an intention.

According to the survey, most private entrepreneurs are members of a variety of organizations, such as private enterprise associations, business associations, trade associations and youth organizations.

Private business owners are in general more active in participating politics, the article said.

Over 64 per cent of those surveyed said it was necessary to form their own associations to co-ordinate business activities, protect their wealth and improve their social status. This shows that their main object is to create a better social environment for development.

On the issue of CPC organization, 20.8 per cent of those surveyed said their businesses have Party organizations, while 24.6 per cent of the surveyed are CPC members themselves.

In the survey, 52.5 per cent of these private business people thought highly of the performance of Party members who worked for them. And 57.8 per cent of them believe that Party organizations would help the development of their firms.

Asked whether private enterprise owners should be allowed to join the CPC, 70.5 per cent of the surveyed gave a resounding "yes," while 25.7 per cent were "unsure" and a mere 3.8 per cent said "no."

Over 41 per cent of those surveyed said the CPC would be the first political organization they would join.

This indicates well that the status of the CPC is incomparable and it is feasible to absorb more Party members from the growing number of private business owners, said the article.

(China Daily July 2, 2003)