“条条”指从中央政府通过国家部门和机关控制地方机构的垂直体系，包括国家发改委，其它重要部委、国有企业和各级地方政府重要职位的任命及升迁，以及宏观经济工具，特别是财政、货币、汇率和监管政策。
Tiao tiao refers to the vertical lines of control from the central government through national ministries or agencies to local-level institutions. They include central planning concerning development and reform; the nomination and promotion of officials to important posts in ministries, state-owned enterprises, and local governments at all levels; and macroeconomic tools, particularly fiscal, monetary, exchange-rate, and regulatory policies.