Premier Wen calls for political reform

[Nomenclature]

Well, perhaps not willing to let liberal intellectuals and loudmouth generals taking all the limelight, Wen decided to join the fray and spoke out on political reform. But of course he's speaking in China so the vocabulary was quite restricted (he probably didn't want to be censored, again!)

China Premier Wen calls for political reform: report | Reuters

China has to pursue political reform to safeguard its economic health, Premier Wen Jiabao said during a visit to the booming town of Shenzhen, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

Wen's call for political reform lacked specifics. But his comments reflect broader worries that unless the Party embraces at least limited reforms to make officials more answerable, then corruption and abuses may erode the country's economic prospects.

"Without the safeguarding of political restructuring, China may lose what it has already achieved through economic restructuring and the targets of its modernization drive might not be reached," Wen was quoted by Xinhua as saying.

"People's democratic rights and legitimate rights must be guaranteed. People should be mobilized and organized to deal with, in accordance with the law, state, economic, social and cultural affairs," Wen added.

Wen also wants to "create conditions" to allow the people to criticize and supervise the government as a way to address "the problem of over-concentration of power with ineffective supervision."

Wen has developed a reputation as the member of China's ruling Communist Party leadership most sympathetic to relaxing some of the country's top-down controls.

Wen will retire as premier in early 2013. He has used recent speeches and comments to indicate that he wants to spend his final years in office focused on improving social welfare, promoting more balanced and equitable economic growth, and addressing public discontent with government.

In Shenzhen, a small village that exploded into a city of 14 million people in the last three decade, Wen said the Shenzhen story showed that reforming and opening up to the outside world "is the only road to achieving national prosperity and the people's happiness."

"Regression and stagnation will not only end the achievements of the three-decade old reform and opening-up drive and the rare opportunity of development, but also suffocate the vitality of China's socialist cause with her own characteristics," the premier added.

(Reporting by Chris Buckley, editing by Miral Fahmy)

Anyway, what do you guys think of Mr.Wen? His brand of populism is currently suffering a major backlash on the Chinese internet, and there's a book just published in Hong Kong that's highly critical of him.

Personally I think a lot of criticism directed at him is a bit unfair. I have no doubt about his sincerity when he speaks out on political reform or social welfare, but he just doesn't have enough political capital to implement his ideas. But maybe one shouldn't make promises that can't be delivered?

My father hates Wen with a passion though, thinking he's too soft and can't control his subordinates. I think my father's in favour of Zhu Rongji's style of leadership. I've too been wondered if China today would be in a better shape if Zhu could be in office for a second term.

 

[CardSharp]

The problem is I have no idea what Wen wants. All he's offered is well meaning platitudes with some vague promises of reforms.

"Without the safeguarding of political restructuring, China may lose what it has already achieved through economic restructuring and the targets of its modernization drive might not be reached," Wen was quoted by Xinhua as saying.

"People's democratic rights and legitimate rights must be guaranteed. People should be mobilized and organized to deal with, in accordance with the law, state, economic, social and cultural affairs," Wen added.

Wen also wants to "create conditions" to allow the people to criticize and supervise the government as a way to address "the problem of over-concentration of power with ineffective supervision

What does any of this mean? How will it work? Who's going to implement it?

As for Zhu, he was a great premier. Very solid grasp on economics and the will to do the hard things necessary for economic progress.

 

[below_freezing]

it's meaningless, but all i know is, Mr. Jiang's reign was the worst time in history and only Mr. Zhu held the country apart.

Does anyone remember what it was like in 2002? Compared to now?

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

As for Zhu, he was a great premier. Very solid grasp on economics and the will to do the hard things necessary for economic progress.

Yeah, Zhu Rongji was fantastic.

We need more people like him.

 

[no_name]

What are mainlanders view on Jiang Zemin? Personally he gives me bad vibes but I don't live in China so would be intersted to know your opinions.

 

[below_freezing]

I hate him.

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

What are mainlanders view on Jiang Zemin? Personally he gives me bad vibes but I don't live in China so would be intersted to know your opinions.

From what I can tell, Jiang Zemin is not very popular, especially compared to other Chinese leaders.

Most people tend to credit Zhu Rongji (instead of Jiang Zemin) for the strong economic performance during that era.

 

[Nomenclature]

Jiang Zemin is about the most ridiculed leader in PRC history. He tried very hard to appear charismatic with comical results. He became a national laughing stock when he bought a Boeing to be his 'Air Force One' only for the Chinese security services to find out Boeing had planted the plane with 50+ bug devices.

I dont know anyone in China who likes him. Mind you that's not an easy feat to accomplish when you have the entire state propaganda machine to make you looks good.

 

[CardSharp]

Jiang Zemin is about the most ridiculed leader in PRC history. He tried very hard to appear charismatic with comical results. He became a national laughing stock when he bought a Boeing to be his 'Air Force One' only for the Chinese security services to find out Boeing had planted the plane with 50+ bug devices.

I dont know anyone in China who likes him. Mind you that's not an easy feat to accomplish when you have the entire state propaganda machine to make you looks good.

My impression was he tried to style himself a revolutionary political thinker like Mao and was largely laughed of out the idea. He also did some dumb things like let in 5 million business people into the party all at once because he thought the party should represent the leading forces of society... All he ended with is massive corruption by those newly inducted members.

My parents think he's all show.

 

[siegecrossbow]

Jiang Zemin is about the most ridiculed leader in PRC history. He tried very hard to appear charismatic with comical results. He became a national laughing stock when he bought a Boeing to be his 'Air Force One' only for the Chinese security services to find out Boeing had planted the plane with 50+ bug devices.

I dont know anyone in China who likes him. Mind you that's not an easy feat to accomplish when you have the entire state propaganda machine to make you looks good.

Oh poor Chairman Jiang...

He pretty much ruined his image during his infamous confrontation with the journalists in Hongkong...

"You guys are too simple, sometimes naive."



Well despite having stayed in the states for three years I learned the word naive from the Chairman of PRC.

 

[oceanx]

I hate him.

What's not to like about him? I wonder ...

- He looks like a panda with these rims. How many heads of state can claim resemblance with a national mascot?
- He shut down 《世界经济导报》, which was my personal 启蒙读物 at the time (yes, I am "dating" myself) ...
- He has June 4th blood on his hands (perhaps we'll let that one go for now in the interest of "harmony" and "stability")
- He stated on record that his favourite movie was "Titanic" ...

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

(yes, I am "dating" myself) ...

Why am I not surprised?

- He stated on record that his favourite movie was "Titanic" ...

Jesus is that really true?

 

[oceanx]

Well, perhaps not willing to let liberal intellectuals and loudmouth generals taking all the limelight, Wen decided to join the fray and spoke out on political reform. But of course he's speaking in China so the vocabulary was quite restricted (he probably didn't want to be censored, again!)

China Premier Wen calls for political reform: report | Reuters



Anyway, what do you guys think of Mr.Wen? His brand of populism is currently suffering a major backlash on the Chinese internet, and there's a book just published in Hong Kong that's highly critical of him.

Personally I think a lot of criticism directed at him is a bit unfair. I have no doubt about his sincerity when he speaks out on political reform or social welfare, but he just doesn't have enough political capital to implement his ideas. But maybe one shouldn't make promises that can't be delivered?

My father hates Wen with a passion though, thinking he's too soft and can't control his subordinates. I think my father's in favour of Zhu Rongji's style of leadership. I've too been wondered if China today would be in a better shape if Zhu could be in office for a second term.

You seem like a bright guy Nomenclature. Never mind what you father thinks. Are you saying that you think he should just move over as he is already a "lame duck" so as to make way for someone who may be in a position to not jus talk "reform", but implement them?

More importantly, what do you think needs to be reformed?

 

[no_name]

What premier wen said should still be listened to, maybe it is because his term is almost up now that he can say what is really needed for China.

 

[oceanx]

Why am I not surprised?

Yeah laugh it up young man. At least you should know that the CIA was not behind the 导报 during its limited life on earth as it is behind shiny rags like the "Economist" ...

Just kidding.

The CIA is behind my keyboard.

Jesus is that really true?

What kind of "international school" did you go to kiddo? From where did you learn to "take the Lord's name in vain"? Are the Jesuits and the nuns no longer running schools in HK?

Tsk, tsk ...