Regional mind emancipation

A Hunan Provincial Party Committee campaign to "emancipate the minds" of local officials, launched Sunday, has sparked hope that officials could be about to launch a new round of major economic reforms.

• ICYDK, in the past, similarly worded "mind emancipation" campaigns ushered in reform and opening in 1978 and market-oriented reforms in 1992.

We hate to disappoint, but: The Hunan campaign fits squarely within current policy settings. It calls for officials to develop innovative solutions to practical issues, including:

• Local protectionism
• Market fragmentation
• Discrimination against foreign businesses

And any innovation needs to occur within the framework set out by the Party center:

• "Emancipating our minds requires advancing discussions along the direction guided by the Party Central Committee and General Secretary Xi Jinping."

Get smart: The campaign is nothing special – but the attention it's received underscores how eager people are for a clear roadmap out of the current economic malaise.

Get smarter: Real policy innovation requires a political climate where officials feel safe voicing differing opinions, even if they diverge from the Party lines set by the top.

• That won't happen unless the leadership in Beijing loosens the ideological reins.