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Wen vows `socialist democracy' under CCP

An unidentified delegate yawns during a speech by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at the opening session of the 11th National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing yesterday. PHOTO: EPA

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (溫家寶) said yesterday his government was ready to expand "socialist democracy" throughout China, but under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party.

In an address to the opening of the National People's Congress, Wen said the government would be streamlined and more efficient.

"We will deepen reform of political institutions and advance socialist political standards," he said.

"We will expand people's democracy, improve democratic institutions, diversify its forms and expand its channels and we will carry out democratic elections, decision-making, administration and oversight," he said.

Wen said democracy would come "under the guiding principles set by the 17th Communist Party Congress," which has set out a blueprint for incremental democratic and administrative reforms to be implemented by 2020.

Such reforms also include strengthening administrative oversight, fighting corruption and making a more efficient government that is ruled by law, he said.

"Decisions must be made scientifically and democratically, the government must be run in accordance with the law and administrative oversight needs to be strengthened," Wen said.

In regards to efficiency of government, Wen announced plans to study ways to consolidate various departments and ministries.

Wen also said that China would stick with its strict family planning rules, in an apparent rebuttal to officials who raised the possibility of changes to the one-child policy.

Also See: China seeks to slow price hikes, red-hot economy
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