It also notes more ethnic minorities and younger delegates, in their 20s and 30s, as well as fewer party and government officials.

BBC: China media: Opinions divided on Congress

The 10 sacked officials include party and government officials in the southwestern city as well as executives in state-owned companies, Xinhua reports, without naming any of them.

BBC: China sacks sex video extortion scandal officials

Aware that they cannot ignore this new outlet for public opinion, officials have moved to engage with it: government agencies, party organs and individual officials have set up more than 50, 000 weibo accounts, according to the Chinese Academy of Governance.

ECONOMIST: The power of microblogs