Chinese Lawmaker Affirms Commitment to Socialism
March 12, 2010
By: Benjamin Russell

Wu Bangguo, a top Chinese lawmaker, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to what he called the “socialist path of political development with Chinese characteristics” in an address to the National People’s Congress on Tuesday.

Speaking to 3,000 delegates in what is a largely symbolic annual meeting of China’s legislature, Wu rejected calls for political reform but struck a decidedly less confrontational tone than in years past, according to VOA News.

In the same address last year, for example, Wu spoke at length to the merits of the socialist model and declared, “[China] will never simply copy the system of Western countries."

Experts believe a harsh crackdown on opposition and democracy advocates over the past year has left the country’s leadership confident in the government’s stability and less inclined to such strident rhetoric.

"They feel they've conveyed the message," said Michael C. Davis, a law professor and China expert at The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Wu also addressed sources of social instability in the country and vowed to take steps to tackle an increasing gap between rich and poor.

"China is in an important period of strategic opportunities for its economic and social development as well as a period of serious social problems, and its tasks for promotion reform, development, and stability are arduous and formidable," Wu said.

Sources:

Associated Press – China Rejects Reform Calls But Rhetoric Softens

VOA News – Top Chinese Lawmaker Rejects Calls for Political Reform

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