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Chinese president praises reform | Chinese president praises reform |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Chinese President Hu Jintao has praised the achievements made by his country during 30 years of reforms. | Chinese President Hu Jintao has praised the achievements made by his country during 30 years of reforms. |
Mr Hu said the reforms had helped revitalise China at a "critical moment" in the country's history. | Mr Hu said the reforms had helped revitalise China at a "critical moment" in the country's history. |
Since they began, China has transformed itself from a poor, isolated country into a modern, global nation. | Since they began, China has transformed itself from a poor, isolated country into a modern, global nation. |
But Mr Hu dampened hopes there would be future political reforms, saying China would never adopt a Western political system. | But Mr Hu dampened hopes there would be future political reforms, saying China would never adopt a Western political system. |
The Chinese president made his keynote speech at a special event held in Beijing's Great Hall of the People. | The Chinese president made his keynote speech at a special event held in Beijing's Great Hall of the People. |
It was organised to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the reforms, begun by former leader Deng Xiaoping. | |
Critical problem | Critical problem |
These reforms have not only made ordinary people richer, but have given them more freedom in their daily lives. [The] path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, led by the party, its policies and its theories, is correct Hu Jintao Chinese learn to live with reform | These reforms have not only made ordinary people richer, but have given them more freedom in their daily lives. [The] path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, led by the party, its policies and its theories, is correct Hu Jintao Chinese learn to live with reform |
People can now decide where to eat, what to wear and which career to pursue - freedoms they were previously denied. | |
Mr Hu told an audience of the nation's top leaders that the decision to reform came at an important time in China's history. | Mr Hu told an audience of the nation's top leaders that the decision to reform came at an important time in China's history. |
"Our party and government were faced with the critical problem of where to go next," said Mr Hu. | "Our party and government were faced with the critical problem of where to go next," said Mr Hu. |
At the time, China was still reeling from the effects of the Cultural Revolution, a disastrous political campaign that virtually paralysed the country. | At the time, China was still reeling from the effects of the Cultural Revolution, a disastrous political campaign that virtually paralysed the country. |
Society transformed | Society transformed |
He then went on to list some of the achievements over the last 30 years.Mr Hu hinted there would be no major political changes in the years ahead | He then went on to list some of the achievements over the last 30 years.Mr Hu hinted there would be no major political changes in the years ahead |
The economy had grown by an annual rate of 9.8%, and nearly 240m rural people had escaped poverty, he said. | The economy had grown by an annual rate of 9.8%, and nearly 240m rural people had escaped poverty, he said. |
Mr Hu praised the country for responding to the current global economic downturn, which is also affecting China. | Mr Hu praised the country for responding to the current global economic downturn, which is also affecting China. |
One recent Chinese news report quoted an official as saying more than 10m migrant workers have lost their jobs. | One recent Chinese news report quoted an official as saying more than 10m migrant workers have lost their jobs. |
But the Chinese president hinted that there would be no major political changes in the years ahead. | But the Chinese president hinted that there would be no major political changes in the years ahead. |
Although China's economy and society have been transformed, there have been few reforms to the country's political system. | Although China's economy and society have been transformed, there have been few reforms to the country's political system. |
Mr Hu said the success of the last 30 years showed there was no need to change the way China's 1.3bn people are governed. | Mr Hu said the success of the last 30 years showed there was no need to change the way China's 1.3bn people are governed. |
"[The] path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, led by the party, its policies and its theories, is correct," he said. | "[The] path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, led by the party, its policies and its theories, is correct," he said. |