This is not to say that China's elite have no worries. There is high awareness of the potential environmental problems that the mainland faces. Since the government has long prevented the media from reporting any bad news on this subject, this looks like a clear sign that information is flowing more freely than in the past.

Predictable character traits such as "to be hard work" are indentified as key cultural values. But it is intriguing to see that "accountability"--a quality that has never meant much in Asia until recent years--also makes the top three list of most desirable qualities.