The juxtaposition of raw capitalism and Chinese communist orthodoxy usually passes without comment these days. But some events still give pause.

Like the elevation of Wang Jianzhou to chairman of China Mobile Communications Corp., the parent of the listed company which he has chaired for the five years.

The appointment, like all senior SOE posts, was decided by the all-powerful Communist Party organisation department. But more importantly for Wang, he is now China Mobile party secretary. Finally he's boss.

China Mobile's party secretary is the disgraced Zhang Chunjiang, now awaiting trial.