At China's 35th National Day celebration in 1984, university students in Tian'anmen Square suddenly unfurled a banner with the characters: "Xiaoping nihao!" (Greetings, Xiaoping!) to show their appreciation for retired leader Deng Xiaoping.

Today, there is a much easier and faster way to express affection for China's leaders - join their online fan club.

While Chinese politicians are not normally known for their star appeal - blandness and formal handshakes are more their style - the website of the official People's Daily is trying to change all that on their new "Jin and Bao Fan Zone".