South China Morning Post (SCMP) ran an article recently called: "Online slang that found its way into leader's speech."
The article said (emphasis is my own):
Online slang that found its way into leader's speech
Use of trendy term proves a hit with internet users but baffles one official translator
Premier Li Keqiang has caught the attention of mainland internet users with his use of the popular online term "self-willed" during his work report to the National People's Congress.
Addressing the need to cut red tape, simplify administrative procedures and delegate authority to lower levels of government, the premier said yesterday that "those with power must not be self-willed".
The remark became an instant hit with the online community, who shared it countless times. For all the latest news from China’s parliamentary sessions click here
People's Daily's Weibo account quoted a source with knowledge of the drafting of the report as saying that Li had personally added the term.
It is rare for casual internet expressions to find their way into the central government's work report, which is usually crafted with great care into formal language by a dedicated team of advisers.
"Self-willed" has been a popular expression among mainland internet users since last year. They use it to refer sarcastically to the spoiled and wilful behaviour of the rich.
Its popularity appears to trace back to a news story about a rich man who voluntarily transferred about half a million yuan (HK$630,000) to a group of fraudsters, even though he knew they were operating a scam, because he was interested in seeing how much they could swindle out of him.
During a press conference for the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference on Monday, spokesman Lu Xinhua also used the term "self-willed" to refer to the public's firm stand on fighting corruption and the pursuit of the next big "tiger" - or corrupt top official.
Lu's translator, apparently surprised by the turn of phrase, had to confirm with Lu exactly what he had said.
Improvising and under great time pressure she initially translated it as "capricious".
Lu is seen by many as a pioneer in his use of trendy internet catchphrases to brighten up the otherwise stiff annual parliamentary sessions.
- What is the "self-willed" word in Chinese here that they are referring to?