Jiang: Strong Political Leadership Secures Modernization in China

Chinese President Jiang Zemin said it is imperative for China, a multi-ethnic developing country, to have a strong political leadership in order to rally more than 1.2 billion people behind the cause of modernization.

"Otherwise, the country would fall apart like a heap of loose sand," Jiang made the remarks in a recent interview with the New York Times.

Jiang said, "This is the conclusion that we have drawn from China's modern history of development and also by analyzing the experience and lessons many countries have got in their development."

When asked whether China will become a multi-party democracy, Jiang said there are "still many people have very scanty knowledge about the political party system in China today."

"China adopts a system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation led by the Communist Party of China (CPC)," he stressed, "It is the basic political system of China."

Jiang said the CPC is a party in power. There are eight other political parties. They cooperate with the CPC and participate in the ruling of the country. The CPC and these parties co-exist with each other on a long-term basis, supervise each other, treat each other with all sincerity and share weal and woe.

"The CPC consults these parties on state policies and guidelines and gives full play to democracy in the process. This practice has already been institutionalized and legalized," he explained.

"Very often, I discuss with leaders of these parties on some major issues, which, I believe, will do good for China," he said.

"We can hardly find a pair of countries that have adopted exactly the same political party system and political system," he said.

"Countries do have different national conditions and should establish and improve their respective political party systems in light of their realities," he said.

What is essential is that the kind of party system they institute "should serve their economic development, political stability and the maintenance and realization of the fundamental interests of their people," he stressed.






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