It makes pefect sense to me as well. They are paying more than just 'lip service' to the communist ideal still, of the poor not being oppressed or disenfranchised by the rich. I admire that. No-one should be cynical about that.

Of course, it is not working but most so-called democracies gave up even the pretence many years ago, relying instead on self-delusion as a force amongst the masses. It will happen in China once the standard of living rises ( if it is not already), the very poor and homeless will be marginalised completely, and probably treated as health risks etc. and quietly disposed of. Not necessarily killed like the Nazis did, just ignored, jailed etc as the insane are on the streets of Australia, or brutalised and victimised as the homeless are. Forgotten. In the end they become a smaller statistic and can be dealt with as such. The police forces of all nations are ready and able to deal with the few that stand out, cause a nuisance, always have and always will.

It will be interesting to see how the Chinese overcome the Mumbai ghetto type problems of even more country dwellers moving into cities, the ghetto suburbs of Washington USA, and the unrest of the muddle eyast.

The world is changing, as always, there seems to be quite a swell of social movement at present and China is relatively stable but you never know what small factor will tip the scales. Might be secondhand car prices in Beijing, might be people not able to transport themselves and goods on MBs. That is what they are for most, necessary transport. Not toys for a few westerners.

And away from coffee table analysis, is the grandfather's axe solution viable? What does the license apply to once you have it, engine side plate and frame, one or both? Easy to get round for a good while, especially if it applies to just a number on a frame. I had bikes in the UK that were totally reincarnated many times, just an engine side-plate and frame that had many new lives in different set ups.