|
||||||||
  |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jiang's stark warning over corruption
BEIJING, China (CNN) -- Chinese President Jiang Zemin has warned a landmark meeting of the country's ruling Communist Party that it must take a tough line against corruption or risk its "self-destruction." Speaking on the opening day of the 16th Communist Party Congress in Beijing Jiang told the 2,114 delegates a failure to act against the growing problem of graft could push the party from power. "If we do not crack down on corruption, the flesh-and-blood ties between the party and the people will suffer a lot and the party will be in danger of losing its ruling position, or possibly heading for self-destruction," he said. The Congress is being billed as a political watershed for China, ushering the biggest leadership changes the country has seen in a decade and setting the direction for its economic and political future. (Congress agenda) Held once every five years, the Congress is set to approve a major reshuffle of China's leadership, with Jiang, 76, set to step aside as president and party chief along with other party veterans including Premier Zhu Rongji and National People's Congress Chairman Li Peng. Firm controlIn his 90-minute opening speech, far shorter than anticipated, Jiang presented his vision -- and what he hopes will be his legacy -- of a China powered by capitalist economics but under the firm political stewardship of the Communist Party. That firm control was evident outside with thousands of police and security officials deployed on the streets of Beijing. At least three small attempts at dissent were reported in the area around the city's Great Hall of the People, but observers said they were quickly stamped on by security officials. In his address, Jiang said it was time for the party to modernize its thinking, open its doors to new economic opportunities and expand its base by taking in members of the new capitalist rich. "We should admit into the party advanced elements of other social strata who accept the party's program and constitution," Jiang told the Congress in terms typically used by the leadership to refer to China's new rich. "We must move forward, or we will fall behind," he said, calling on his fellow cadres to "free our minds from the shackles of outdated notions, practices and systems". Democratic reform ruled outHowever, during the speech whcih was televised live across the country, Jiang also stressed that China would not follow Western style multi-party democracy. "We should never copy any models of the political system of the West," he said. He also called for a renewed dialogue with Taiwan, but warned that force could be used against "attempts to interfere in China's reunification." The speech was a seen as laying out a blueprint for China's future as Jiang begins the process of handing power to the next, so-called "Fourth Generation" of leaders. Speaking beneath an outsized hammer and sickle emblem in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, Jiang also stressed the need to ensure the Communist Party remains relevant in the global market place of the 21st century. "Our party must stand firm in the forefront of the times," Jiang said. Most expect Jiang will be succeeded as Communist Party chief by Vice-President Hu Jintao, 59, who is also widely expected to replace Jiang as president next year. (Profile: Hu Jintao) Economic challenges
However, like his predecessor Deng Xiaoping, analysts say Jiang expected to remain the unofficial power behind the throne for some time to come -- a factor that could cause complications for the new generation of leaders. They will be faced with some of the greatest challenges modern China and its communist leaders have yet had to meet. Looking to China's economic future, Jiang said the government should aim to quadruple its gross domestic product between 2000 and 2020. With the country now a full member of the World Trade Organization, he said China would aim to increase its international competitiveness "markedly." However, he pointed to several economic challenges that needed to be urgently addressed, including stagnating income levels in rural areas and escalating unemployment. Over the coming days delegates to the 16th Congress will hammer out a road map for China's future as the Communist Party struggles with the challenge of stimulating continued breakneck growth whilst maintaining stability and keeping its iron grip on power. Addressing delegates, Jiang warned that party must address itself to what he called "a world that is far from being tranquil and the formidable tasks before us." "We must be keenly aware of the rigorous challenges brought about by the ever-sharpening international competition as well as risks and difficulties that may arise on our road ahead," he said.
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
