Party think-tank calls for democratic reforms

Politics

20 February 2008

Researchers at China's top Communist Party think-tank have released a report calling for democratic reforms, including stemming corruption, reducing press censorship and make the country's parliament more representative, the Financial Times reported. The report, whose authors include senior researchers at the Central Party School in Beijing, does not encourage China to adopt Western-style elections or a multi-party system, but does advocate significant political reform. It also proposes that the National People's Congress to be made a fully representative body, with government officials gradually phased out and replaced by people chosen by local communities. The report underscores a long-standing internal debate among policymakers on the dangers of unlimited power in a one-party state.

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