National People's Congress chairman Wu Bangguo vowed yesterday that the mainland would stick to its socialist path, saying that Western political systems were not suitable for China despite growing calls for political reform.
In a report delivered to the annual session of the NPC in Beijing, Wu said that a socialist system with Chinese characteristics had guaranteed development and the country 'must cherish it even more and adhere to it for a long time to come'.
'We need to be fully aware of the essential differences between this system and Western capitalist countries' systems of political power,' he said. 'We need to remain sober-minded and take a firm and clear stand on major issues of principle and unwaveringly keep to the socialist path of political development with Chinese characteristics.'
Critics have been calling for a revamp of the political system, especially since pro-democracy revolts swept the Arab world last year. Wu told last year's session that China would not employ a system of parties holding office in rotation and would not exercise separation of powers.
There have been new calls for reform this year, with some scholars, including famous economist Wu Jinglian, expressing concern that economic reforms will stall if there is no political reform.
Wu urged 2,978 NPC deputies yesterday to have 'a firm grasp of the correct political orientation'. 'Comrades working at people's congresses should enhance their theoretical competency, maintain a high level of political unity with the party central committee, and take a clear stand in rejecting the influence of all erroneous ideologies and theories.'