A few days ago, a retired official came to the UK to visit his daughter. We had a meal together, and he said a few words:

Government debt has already become a way to grow GDP.
Where do local officials want to think so far ahead? Think so much? "Great rejuvenation" is what the central government is thinking, local officials are concerned with finances—getting through this year, and how to get through next year.
He also said he retired in 2008, retired early, but the organization didn't agree, so he delayed for three or four years before retiring. He said the reason for early retirement was that he felt the work was uninteresting, reforms had stalled, and he had a premonition that the country was going to backtrack.
He also said, luckily Bo Xilai was caught; Bo Xilai was ruthless, bold, and energetic, and if he had stayed, China might have descended into chaos.
I said that the employment rate for college students is too low now, maybe only 30%. He said, 30%? Who told you that? 90% of them can't find a job at all, and can only do gig work (flexible employment).
When asked, he studied history in university.