Superstition flourishes as Chinese officials look to soothsayers amid uncertain times

Some time last year, a group of middle-ranking government officials gathered for a dinner in a private room in a Beijing restaurant, all slightly nervous but keen with anticipation.

Their guest of honour was a Buddhist master who would predict their fortunes.

The master looked around the room and into the eyes of each of the dozen or so attendees, according to one of those present, who spoke on condition of anonymity as officials and Communist Party members are not supposed to believe in "superstition".

"He picked people out depending on the shape of their eyes and told them whether they had been touched by luck or misfortune," said the source, a government official with ties to the leadership.

A few months later, one of the people present whose eyes told of misfortune to come was under investigation for abuse of power, the source said.

"At times like this with so much uncertainty, lots of us are looking for ways to foresee our fortunes," the source said, declining to name the master, fearing he might be arrested.