Hu Jintao Pledges to Tackle Wealth Gap and Corruption in China

President Hu Jintao pledged to narrow the widening gulf between rich and poor and stamp out corruption in China at a pivotal five-yearly gathering of the party faithful today.

Mr Hu avoided any hint that the Chinese Communist Party might be ready for wider democracy but reminded its 73 million members to make the happiness of the people their top priority.…

In a two-and-a-half-hour speech that had been vetted for months by 5,560 party members, the President offered a little something for everyone – from promises to stimulate culture to a vow to boost the capability of the military.

But among the 64 pages that included homages to late leaders and reiterations of an ideological dedication to socialism, Mr Hu found room to give particular emphasis to his signature policy – a campaign to help China’s new class of the poor and the disadvantaged.

He said: “Contemporary China is going through a wide-ranging and deep-going transformation. This brings us unprecedented opportunities as well as unprecedented challenges.”

The President, standing behind a podium festooned with pink lilies, recognized the success of breakneck growth that has transformed China into the world’s fourth-biggest economy but referred to the high price in terms of social divisions. He cited gaps between rich and poor, between urban and rural residents.

“There are still a considerable number of impoverished and low-income people in both urban and rural areas, and it has become more difficult to accommodate the interests of all sides.”

Reflecting his cautious style, the speech offered few concrete initiatives. But he did not shirk from mention of what many both within the party and without regard as China’s most pressing problem – corruption.

The party must be prepared to fight a protracted, complicated and arduous battle, he told the delegates. “Resolutely punishing and effectively preventing corruption bears on the popular support for the party and on its very survival.”

(The Times)