Hu rejects China political reform

[Talon]

Hu rejects China political reform

China's President Hu Jintao has made an important speech opposing Western-style political reform for the country.

Speaking ahead of a key meeting of the ruling Communist Party, he said China would be led into a "blind alley" by copying Western political systems.

Mr Hu, in power since 2002, wants to ensure the Party's legitimacy by making it more responsive to public needs and crack down on corruption.

But analysts say he has shown no interest in wider political reform.

The speech came a day before the Communist Party's powerful Central Committee began its annual meeting in Beijing.

The meeting, due to last until 19 September, is mainly being watched for signals as to when or whether former President Jiang Zemin will resign his one remaining post, chairman of the Central Military Commission.

If he does step down in favour of Mr Hu, the latter would have consolidated his position as China's paramount leader.

Mr Hu said China's current system had strong vitality and great superiority.

Mr Hu said no Western democratic practices - such as separating the powers of the executive, legislature and judiciary and multi-party national elections - would be implemented in China.

"We will never blindly copy the mode of other countries' political system," Mr Hu said. "History indicates that indiscriminately copying Western political systems is a blind alley for China."

Fighting graft

But Mr Hu said changes and improvements to the country's governing systems were still needed.

China has been experimenting with low-level elections and improving checks and balances on Communist rule.

"Exercising power without restriction or supervision is bound to result in power abuse and corruption," Mr Hu said.

"We must improve and strengthen the supervisory work of the people's congresses, and increase the effectiveness of their supervision," he said.

Corruption is a persistent problem in the high echelons of China's politics, with many government and party officials seen as having enriched themselves illicitly through holding influential positions.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3657906.stm

[Talon]

China's leaders tackle corruption

Chinese Communist Party leaders are to hold a key meeting amid fears that corruption is undermining their rule.

The 198 members of the party's elite Central Committee will gather behind closed doors to discuss moves to improve party governance.

There is also speculation about a power struggle between President Hu Jintao and military chief Jiang Zemin.

A day before Thursday's meeting, Mr Hu made an important speech opposing Western-style political reform.

He said China would be led into a "blind alley" by copying Western political systems.

Mr Hu, in power since 2002, wants to ensure the party's legitimacy by making it more responsive to public needs and cracking down on corruption.

But analysts say he has shown no interest in wider political reform.

Challenges

Ahead of the meeting, police detained thousands of petitioners who have come to Beijing to seek justice.

The BBC's Louisa Lim in Beijing says the sheer numbers of people flooding to the capital with complaints about local courts are an indication of the challenges facing China's leaders.

The party meeting, due to last until 19 September, is mainly being watched for signals as to when or whether Mr Jiang, a former president, will resign his one remaining post, chairman of the Central Military Commission.

There is pressure on him to resign, but many analysts doubt he will give up his remaining power now.

If Mr Jiang does step down in favour of Mr Hu, the latter would have consolidated his position as China's paramount leader.

The two men differ on issues includnig macro-economic policy and how to slow down the overheated economy but both will be keen to maintain stability and strengthen Communist Party rule.

Fighting graft

China's leaders are alarmed at deepening discontent with official corruption.

They are looking at ways of increasing accountability and transparency, our correspondent says, but their aim is perpetuating one-party rule rather than carrying out democratic reforms.

Mr Hu said on Wednesday that changes and improvements to the country's governing systems were still needed.

China has been experimenting with low-level elections and improving checks and balances on Communist rule.

"Exercising power without restriction or supervision is bound to result in power abuse and corruption," Mr Hu said.

"We must improve and strengthen the supervisory work of the people's congresses, and increase the effectiveness of their supervision," he said.

Corruption is a persistent problem in the high echelons of China's politics, with many government and party officials seen as having enriched themselves illicitly through holding influential positions.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3661130.stm

[Talon]

China leaders warn of corruption

In an unusually blunt message, China's Communist Party has warned its members that corruption and incompetence could threaten its hold on power.

The party's Central Committee said in a policy paper quoted by the official Xinhua news agency that Communist rule could not be taken for granted.

The anti-graft drive was a "life and death struggle" for the party, it said.

Thousands of officials have recently been punished for corruption, but the problem is continuing, analysts say.

The 36-page report amounts to an admission that the Communist Party is facing a legitimacy crisis, the BBC's Louisa Lim in Beijing reports.

China's leaders are now grappling with popular discontent at what is seen as widespread corruption among party members, our correspondent says.

"We must develop a stronger sense of crisis, draw experience and lessons from the success and failure of other ruling parties in the world and enhance our governance capability in a more earnest and conscientious manner," the report said.

"Some leading party members don't have a strong sense of responsibility, personal integrity, a down-to-earth style of work or a close connection with the general public," it said.

Although the report called for expanded "socialist democracy" and "ideological innovation", the state-run media gave no hint that the party was prepared to relax its power monopoly, while implementing capitalist-style reforms.

The report did not specify how the party would improve its ability to govern, analysts say.

Hu's rise

The document bears the stamp of party leader Hu Jintao, who has been warning that abuse of power and corruption are undermining the party's image, our correspondent adds.

A party meeting earlier this month sealed President Hu Jintao's leadership by appointing him head the powerful Central Military Commission, succeeding former leader Jiang Zemin.

The move will consolidate Mr Hu's position as China's paramount leader, analysts say.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3692530.stm