These conferences were abandoned by order of [[Hu Jintao]] in 20042003, mainly for two reasons. First, a conference in a resort area appeared to contradict Hu and [[Wen Jiabao]]'s goal in projecting a frugal image for the party. Second, it was a desire of the leadership under Hu to work through formal party and state mechanisms rather than informal gatherings.<ref name="Kahn">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/04/world/chinese-leader-cancels-communists-seaside-retreat.html|title=Chinese Leader Cancels Communists' Seaside Retreat|last=Kahn|first=Joseph|date=August 4, 2003|work=[[The New York Times]]|page=A2|access-date=12 December 2009}}</ref> However, the Beidaihe meetings resumed in July 2007, when political deliberation took place in anticipation of the 17th Party Congress.