China vows ‘democracy’ in national day

AFP reports that President Hu Jintao, Wen and top Communist Party leaders visited the Tiananmen Square in Beijing and bowed before the monument, marking the 62md anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

“We will make great efforts to guarantee and perfect democracy and resolve the problems that most concern the people and that most directly involve their interests,” Wen said in the speech.

“We will make great efforts to advance the opening and reform and continue to push forward economic, political, cultural and social system reform. We will make great efforts to safeguard social justice, and ensure the people's democratic rights and judicial fairness.”

But by ‘democracy’, China usually means discussions within the ruling elite. During his speech, Wen said the nation would adhere to “socialism with Chinese characteristics”.