BEIJING: Although political structure reform is an important part if its overall reform, China will never copy a Western political system.
“We must continue to make both active and prudent efforts to carry out political structure reform,and make people’s democracy more extensive, fuller in scope and sounder in practice.
“However, we will never copy a Western political system,” said Chinese President and general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Hu Jintao at the opening of the CPC’s 18th National Congress on Thursday.
Hu said since the policy of reform and opening up was introduced, the CPC has reviewed both positive and negative experiences.
“As a result, we have made a major progress in developing socialist democracy and opened up, ” he said.
On curbing corruption, Hu urged leading officials in all levels, especially those in high rankings to excercise strict self-discipline and stengthen education as well as supervision over their family and staff, and to avoid seeking privilege.
“If we fail to handle this issue well, it could cause the Party’s collapse and the fall of the state,” he said.
The president said the CPC must maintain a tough position in cracking down on corruption at all times, conduct thorough investigations in major corruption cases and work hard to resolve problems of corruption that directly affect the people.
“All those who violate Party discipline and state laws, whoever they are and whatever power or official positions they have, must be brought to justice without mercy,” he said.
On another development, Hu said China committed to peaceful development by following the path of peaceful development and firmly pursue an independent foreign policy of peace.
He said China opposed to hegemonism and power politics in all its forms, and will never seek hegemony and engage in expansion.
“We call for promoting equality, mutual trust, inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutually beneficial cooperation in international relations and making joint efforts to uphold international fairness and justice,” he added.
A total of 2,309 delegates attended the congress. –BERNAMA