Teaching Comparative Government and Politics

Thursday, September 22, 2011

The unreported topic

According to the BBC report, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao repeated his call for expanded democracy in local governments and in the Communist Party. However, if you look at the official Chinese report, you won't find that topic mentioned. Hmmm...

Chinese premier Wen Jiabao calls for more democracy

China's Premier Wen Jiabao says China must change its system of absolute power and introduce more democracy.

He made the comments at the World Economic Forum meeting of business leaders in the Chinese city of Dalian…

In the past year or so, Mr Wen, number three in the Communist hierarchy, has spoken several times, to carefully chosen audiences, about the need to reform China politically.

This call appears to go further. “If people can rule a village well, they can manage a county well, even rule a town well.”

He told business leaders that reforming the party and the country's leadership system were "urgent tasks".

Wen Jiabao said the most important task for a ruling party was to act in accordance with the constitution and the law.

"To do this the party must not represent the government, and change the phenomenon of absolute power and excessive concentration of power," he said.

"Thus, the party's and the country's leadership system must be reformed."…

The report of the speech from the Chinese news agency Xinhua featured these topics:
Chinese Premier Wen delivers keynote speech in opening ceremony of 2011 Summer Davos Forum

Premier Wen stresses domestic demand to drive economic growth…

Premier Wen urges developed economies to adopt responsible economic policy…

China to continue prudent monetary policy, says premier…

Premier Wen says China willing to help debt-ridden Europe…

Wen urges fiscal, financial stability in U.S….

Wen says confident in China's economic growth…

Premier Wen says China remains clear-headed, firm in confidence…

Premier Wen says China now a fully open market economy… Premier Wen says China's opening-up a long-term commitment…

Premier Wen calls for sound, sustainable and quality growth…