This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7044418.stm

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
China's leader targets corruption China's leader targets corruption
(about 1 hour later)
The five-yearly congress of the Chinese Communist Party has opened in Beijing with a tough message from President Hu Jintao on corruption. Chinese President Hu Jintao has delivered a tough message on corruption at the opening of the Chinese Communist Party's five-yearly congress.
Mr Hu said that the party's "very survival" depended on "resolutely punishing" corrupt officials.Mr Hu said that the party's "very survival" depended on "resolutely punishing" corrupt officials.
He said that despite economic growth there were many social and environmental concerns facing China.He said that despite economic growth there were many social and environmental concerns facing China.
Mr Hu is set to consolidate his power at the congress, which will also indicate likely leaders for 2012.Mr Hu is set to consolidate his power at the congress, which will also indicate likely leaders for 2012.
The congress is the Communist Party's most important political event. The political agenda for the next five years will be approved during the week-long talks.
Spreading benefitsSpreading benefits
The five-yearly congress is the Communist Party's most important political event. It is at the week-long meeting that the political agenda for the next five years will be approved. Mr Hu's speech, says the BBC's Daniel Griffiths in Beijing, was a frank admission that the government had failed to tackle some of the major problems facing the country.
Speaking in front of more than 2,000 delegates in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, Mr Hu said that a changing China faced both unprecedented opportunities and unprecedented challenges.Speaking in front of more than 2,000 delegates in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, Mr Hu said that a changing China faced both unprecedented opportunities and unprecedented challenges.
Our economic growth is realised at an excessively high cost of resources and the environment Hu JintaoOur economic growth is realised at an excessively high cost of resources and the environment Hu Jintao
Ending corruption, he said, was a major task.Ending corruption, he said, was a major task.
"Resolutely punishing and effectively preventing corruption bears on the popular support for the party and on its very survival," he warned."Resolutely punishing and effectively preventing corruption bears on the popular support for the party and on its very survival," he warned.
In recent months, several high-profile officials have been caught in bribery scandals, while corruption among lower-level local officials is seen as a key cause of discontent for China's poor.In recent months, several high-profile officials have been caught in bribery scandals, while corruption among lower-level local officials is seen as a key cause of discontent for China's poor.
Mr Hu acknowledged the growing divide between rich and poor, saying the party had to ensure China's wealth was distributed more evenly.Mr Hu acknowledged the growing divide between rich and poor, saying the party had to ensure China's wealth was distributed more evenly.
There is heavy security outside the Great Hall of the People China's economic boom has caused pollution to soar
"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," he said."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," he said.
The Chinese leader also promised development policies that protected the environment.The Chinese leader also promised development policies that protected the environment.
"Our economic growth is realised at an excessively high cost of resources and the environment," he said. "We will implement a responsible system for conserving energy and reducing emissions," he said.
The BBC's Daniel Griffiths in Beijing says Mr Hu's speech was a frank admission that the government had failed to tackle some of the major problems facing the country. "Our economic growth is realised at an excessively high cost of resources and the environment."
On Taiwan, the Chinese leader called for a peace agreement. "Let us discuss a formal end to the state of hostility between the two sides," he said.
He warned Taiwan against any formal declaration of independence, but did not use the occasion to threaten the use of force, as his predecessors have.
New leadersNew leaders
During the congress, Mr Hu is expected to further entrench policies aimed at spreading the benefits of economic growth more equally across society, analysts say.During the congress, Mr Hu is expected to further entrench policies aimed at spreading the benefits of economic growth more equally across society, analysts say.
MAJOR THEMES OF THE CONGRESS promoting 'social harmony''scientific development'building a 'well-off society'consolidation of President Hu's positionMAJOR THEMES OF THE CONGRESS promoting 'social harmony''scientific development'building a 'well-off society'consolidation of President Hu's position
His policies of "scientific development" and "social harmony" are expected to gain ground.His policies of "scientific development" and "social harmony" are expected to gain ground.
But the congress is also about selecting China's leaders for the next five years, and beyond.But the congress is also about selecting China's leaders for the next five years, and beyond.
BBC China correspondent James Reynolds says Mr Hu is widely expected to get a second and final term of office but is also likely to promote a probable successor to take over from him in 2012.BBC China correspondent James Reynolds says Mr Hu is widely expected to get a second and final term of office but is also likely to promote a probable successor to take over from him in 2012.
There has been widespread speculation about who will be elected to the politburo's elite standing committee.There has been widespread speculation about who will be elected to the politburo's elite standing committee.
Li Keqiang, the current chief of Liaoning province, and Shanghai boss Xi Jinping have both been tipped to join the committee.Li Keqiang, the current chief of Liaoning province, and Shanghai boss Xi Jinping have both been tipped to join the committee.