Reform or risk a return to turmoil, Wen warns
Source: Xinhua |
March 15, 2012, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
Premier Wen Jiabao warned yesterday that turmoil that engulfed China during the so-called "cultural revolution" could re-emerge unless the country tackles political reforms.
In a three-hour news conference, Wen said China needs not only economic reform but also political structural reform, especially the reform of the leadership system of the Party and the government.
Wen warned that historical tragedies like the "cultural revolution" may recur if the country fails to push forward political reform to uproot problems occurring in society.
"Now reforms in China have come to a critical stage," Wen said, warning: "Without successful political reform, it's impossible for China to fully institute economic reform and the gains we have made in these areas may be lost, and new problems that popped up in the Chinese society will not be fundamentally resolved, and such historical tragedies as the "cultural revolution" may happen again in China."
The "cultural revolution" was 10 years of anti-establishment and radical egalitarianism from 1966-1976 that spiraled into violence which saw millions persecuted and many Party and government leaders jailed, sent into internal exile or left to die.
Wen noted that after the crackdown on the Gang of Four, which included Jiang Qing, the wife of Chairman Mao Zedong, the Party adopted resolutions on many historical matters and decided to conduct reforms and opening up. Still, he said, the mistakes of the "cultural revolution" and feudalism have yet to be fully eliminated.
"The reform can only go forward and must not stand still, much less go backwards because that offers no way out," Wen said.
He said he had addressed the topic of political structural reform in China on many occasions in recent years.
He said his long interest in political reform comes from "a strong sense of responsibility."
As the economy continues to develop, Wen said, such problems as income disparity, lack of credibility and corruption have occurred.
The premier said he believed that any member of the Party and government officials with a sense of responsibility must fully recognize that further reform is "an urgent task" for China.
"I know very well that the reform will not be an easy one and the reform will not be able to succeed without the consciousness, the support, the enthusiasm and creativity of our people," Wen said.
In a three-hour news conference, Wen said China needs not only economic reform but also political structural reform, especially the reform of the leadership system of the Party and the government.
Wen warned that historical tragedies like the "cultural revolution" may recur if the country fails to push forward political reform to uproot problems occurring in society.
"Now reforms in China have come to a critical stage," Wen said, warning: "Without successful political reform, it's impossible for China to fully institute economic reform and the gains we have made in these areas may be lost, and new problems that popped up in the Chinese society will not be fundamentally resolved, and such historical tragedies as the "cultural revolution" may happen again in China."
The "cultural revolution" was 10 years of anti-establishment and radical egalitarianism from 1966-1976 that spiraled into violence which saw millions persecuted and many Party and government leaders jailed, sent into internal exile or left to die.
Wen noted that after the crackdown on the Gang of Four, which included Jiang Qing, the wife of Chairman Mao Zedong, the Party adopted resolutions on many historical matters and decided to conduct reforms and opening up. Still, he said, the mistakes of the "cultural revolution" and feudalism have yet to be fully eliminated.
"The reform can only go forward and must not stand still, much less go backwards because that offers no way out," Wen said.
He said he had addressed the topic of political structural reform in China on many occasions in recent years.
He said his long interest in political reform comes from "a strong sense of responsibility."
As the economy continues to develop, Wen said, such problems as income disparity, lack of credibility and corruption have occurred.
The premier said he believed that any member of the Party and government officials with a sense of responsibility must fully recognize that further reform is "an urgent task" for China.
"I know very well that the reform will not be an easy one and the reform will not be able to succeed without the consciousness, the support, the enthusiasm and creativity of our people," Wen said.
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