World 110m hurdles record holder Liu Xiang is enjoying a relaxing time at training camp in Shanghai as coach Sun Haiping went to Beijing to attend the week-long 17th National Party Congress of the Chinese Communist Party.

Sun Haiping [Xinhua]

Liu is maintaining a regular training regime while his coach is at the national event, which will decide the Party’s new cabinet next Monday.

Both Liu and Sun are Party members.

At a press conference of the opening of the congress on Monday, Sun said the 26-year-old is likely to break his own record again if conditions are ripe, adding that injury is something he worries most.

When asked about Liu’s heavy involvement in commercial activities, Sun replied it didn’t hamper Liu’s training. Instead, properly scheduled time for shooting advertisements could be a good alternative to training.

But Sun stressed that Liu will definitely reduce his appearances in social and commercial affairs next year in order to prepare for the Beijing Olympics.

The coach also mentioned he had left Liu an eight-day training plan before leaving for Beijing.

Talking to media in Shanghai, Liu said he was very relaxed and slept 10 hours everyday. But he knows the coming winter training session will not be an easy one.

“Winter training sessions will start when my coach comes back,” Liu explained. “I know this one will be tougher than ever before.”