Hu calls for democracy

Chinese President Hu Jintao has for the first time called for 'democratic elections' and 'people's participation in political affairs,' probably indicating a change in the mindset of the new generation of Chinese leadership.

While what exactly Hu meant by 'democratic elections' and 'people's participation in political affairs' is not clear,  analysts say the usage of these terms by the new Chinese leadership, which assumed power this March, is significant considering the dramatic changes happening in the world's most populous nation.

Hu, who is also general secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China, called for "efforts to expand citizens' orderly participation in political affairs and guarantee the people's rights to carry out democratic election, decision making, management and supervision according to law," the official Xinhua news agency said.

"All the policies of the party and the government must be in the interests of the people and meet the needs for economic and social development," he said.

While calling for judicial reforms to ensure social fairness and justice, he said the supervisory systems of China should be improved to make sure that the power given by the people is used to serve the people.

Hu made the speech at a meeting of the politburo, the second-highest decision-making body of the CPC. Interestingly, the meeting was held on the eve of China's 54th National Day. 

However, the CPC, which has monopolised political power since 1949, is seen as slow in widening the process of democratic elections in the vast country of 1.3 billion.

Though the Communist Party has allowed four non-Communist parties to function in an advisory capacity, the party-led government has put down any efforts by individuals or by small groups to set up democtatic institutions.

Hu also called for "active and steady promotion of political system reform, expansion of socialist democracy and improvement of the socialist legal system."

In another development, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has expressed confidence that China's goals of reform and development set for this year will "undoubtedly be fully realised." Speaking at a reception marking the 54th anniversary of the founding of the country, Wen said the Chinese people have won a decisive victory over SARS epidemic and various other difficulties.

He noted that China's economy has maintained 'sound growth momentum' and various reform plans are moving forward in an orderly fashion. With these achievements, as well as progress in social programmes, there is no doubt that China's goals of reform and development set for the year will be fully realised, he said at the reception held in the Great Hall of  the People. 

China's top leaders Hu Jintao, Wu Bangguo, Jia Qinglin, Zeng Qinghong, Huang Ju, Wu Guanzheng, Li Changchun and Luo Gan attended the reception, along with more than 1,000 guests, including top diplomats.

Wen reiterated China's unswerving  foreign policy of peace and determination to develop friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation with all countries in the world on the basis of the five principles of peaceful coexistence.

"China will always be a staunch force dedicated to regional and world peace," Wen said, adding, "instead of being a threat to anybody, a strong and prosperous China can only  bring benefits to the world. China will never seek hegemony."