It’s very comforting to know that if you live in Communist China, get arrested for subversive activities, and are sent to the “Strictly Controlled Division” jail for a round of torture and reeducation, you can do it in style.

How about driving a Rolls to your date with destiny?

Rolls-Royce has opened its fifth showroom in China in a hi-tech district of Chengdu.

“China is a very important market for Rolls-Royce, with sales in 2006 growing by more than 60 per cent, making the region our third largest market in the world behind the USA and the UK,” said Rolls- Royce CEO Ian Robertson.

He said the company anticipated further growth in China and expected to open additional showrooms later in the year. Worldwide Rolls-Royce operates a total of 80 showrooms.

Robertson said the company expected further growth in China and would probably open further showrooms later in the year. Talk about a country with contradictions!