Reform no reason to doubt fundamentals

Source:Global Times Published: 2012-11-26 0:35:07

Li Keqiang, Chinese Vice Premier and member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee, addressed key areas of national reform last week. His description of the importance of reform has sustained discussions nationwide. 

Just a few days ago, five street children died in Bijie, Guizhou Province. A sex video starring Lei Zhengfu, the Party secretary of Chongqing's Beibei district, was exposed. The officials involved in these two incidents were quickly sacked. It reflects that the central government's emphasis on reform and local anti-corruption battles are gradually becoming in sync, which is an encouraging sign.

Reform in theory already sees the highest support rates in China. However, in practice, it has not gained such plaudits.

Stronger voices advocating reform combined with more difficulties in putting it in practice do not mean that our society is becoming increasingly hypocritical. It is because the structure of its special interests has become more complicated. A wider range of elements is at play. Also, because it is easier for us to raise objections than to propose solutions, some people are more likely to make use of the reform to create a crisis.

Although we are putting a growing emphasis on reform, differences on what reforms actually mean are becoming larger. Mainstream Chinese public opinion holds that reforms consist in innovations and perfections to current system. However, there are always different voices in China says that the real meaning of reform is to gradually subvert the current Chinese system and "Westernize" the country. According to their logic, actions are not real reforms if they have not changed the political system.

Chinese society must move away from this logic. Over 30 years, although the political system has remained unchanged, earthshaking changes have taken place in China's economic reality and social outlook. China's reform is continuously driven by the wishes of the masses.

If we publicize that reforms are only aimed at the official levels, reforms will deviate from society's expectation, which will cause public opinion to underestimate the difficulties reform faces.

Li's remarks show the new leadership's determination to further push ahead with reforms. Publicizing the copying of Western styles or advocating returning to the past are merely distractions. Reform is a strategic plan which brings a major learning curve.



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