Posted on 10/14/2007 8:35:51 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
China rules out West's democracy
By Michael Bristow
BBC News, Beijing
China will never have Western-style democracy, a senior official said on the eve of the country's most important political meeting in five years. But Li Dongsheng, spokesman for the Communist Party's 17th congress, said China would pursue political reform.
Mr Li was speaking at a news conference ahead of the congress, which opens in the capital, Beijing, on Monday.
Some party members have called for political changes to accompany economic reforms, which have transformed China.
The majority of people have enjoyed real benefits from reform and opening up
Li Dongsheng Communist Party Spokesman
Mr Li said: "Political reform is an important component of our comprehensive reform. We have advanced political reform without pause."
But he quickly quashed any idea that China could eventually become a multi-party liberal democracy.
"We will never copy the Western model of political system," he said as he gave details about the congress, which meets every five years.
'Theoretical innovations'
Mr Li's statement is not surprising as other senior party leaders have voiced similar comments in the past.
But it sets the tone for the congress, at which delegates will endorse policies that are set to shape China over the coming years.
As well as discussing future policies, congress delegates will hear a report from Chinese President Hu Jintao, who is also the party's general secretary.
They will also amend the party's constitution to reflect what Mr Li described as "theoretical innovations".
That probably means President Hu's ideas about "scientific development" will be written into the constitution.
This concept calls for more balanced economic development that does not lead to problems such as pollution or a widening wealth gap between rich and poor.
The constitution was also changed in 2002 to include previous President Jiang Zemin's contribution to political thought - The Three Represents.
That idea reflected the former president's desire to bring a wider range of people into the party, most notably China's newly rich business class.
Politburo election
At the press conference, Mr Li revealed that ex-President Jiang, as well as two former premiers, Li Peng and Zhu Rongji, will attend the congress as special delegates.
These veteran leaders will join a total of 2,213 ordinary delegates.
The delegates' main task will be to select the party central committee, which will then in turn select members of the politburo, the country's highest decision-making body.
There has been widespread speculation about who will be elected to the politburo's elite standing committee.
Li Keqiang, the current chief of Liaoning Province, and Shanghai boss Xi Jinping have both been tipped to join the standing committee.
But whatever policies and personnel changes are approved at the week-long congress, China is set to continue on its current course.
The congress' spokesman, Li Dongsheng, dismissed discontent about problems such as pollution and the illegal taking of farmers' land.
He said these were regional and individual cases.
"The majority of people have enjoyed real benefits from reform and opening up," he said.
Ping!
I have never understood why we are doing business with a country that is supposed to be our enemy.
The only thing I can think of is NWO.
Has it ever occurred to anyone that China’s former leaders once ruled out West’s Communism?
I have never understood why we are doing business with a country that is supposed to be our enemy.
The only thing I can think of is NWO.
I have never understood why we are doing business with a country that is supposed to be our enemy.
The only thing I can think of is NWO.
Neither will the U.S.A. if the Democrats have their way.
I like your optimism. Thanks for posting the article. Interesting.
Of course not and they will never have capitalism either.
Some countries, or individuals, cannot handle properity and freedom. It must be instituted gradually before they can understand what it is about. It is like taking a dirt poor family and putting them in a rich mansion with all the maids and butlers. They would be so confused and go hog wild over their change of life, making unreal descisions without thought, rhyme, or reason why.
Bullfrog
Amen, well said.
Like Britney Spears ;)
History says the same thing: in all of China's long history, it has never had a representative government.
My own guess is that it won't develop one since I believe that there is no historical dynamic working here to create one.
Instead, Red China will continue the long history of rule from above, which has at least featured meritocratic elements at various times.
Who didn't know that?
After seeing the mess we’ve made of “democracy” — who can blame the Chinese for not wanting to mimic the disaster we’ve made of our “democracy”?
The illiterate, nonproductive, illegals, perverts, racists, welfare dependent and run of the mill assholes now control our fate as a result of our irresponsible “democracy”..
France is the West. China will need to observe the many kinds of state constitution a while longer before they decide what to do. 5000 years of watching and it’s still too soon to pick a winner.
“Has it ever occurred to anyone that China’s former leaders once ruled out West’s Communism?”
Exactly. Even Communism wasn’t copied verbatim; they merely adapted it to their society as they have everything else they’ve borrowed from the West - with Chinese characteristics.
History should also show that the Chinese people clearly desire a strong central government. In fact, they demand it.
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The one thing the LOVE Itself needs more of in this world,
...for GOD is LOVE,
is more LOVE.
And that only comes when...
...people are FREE.
.
Making...
http://www.Freerepublic.com/~ALOHARONNIE/
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