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http://www.smh.com.au/world/wen-jia...--with-profound-apologies-20120314-1v3mp.html
THE Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao, has used one of his last public addresses to deliver a strong warning that China must take on ''urgent'' political reforms or risk the repeat of tragedies such as the Cultural Revolution.
Speaking before a once-a-decade leadership transition this year, a visibly emotional Mr Wen said he had ''many regrets'' from his nine years as premier and made an unprecedented apology for the ''many problems present in China's economy and society''.''I sincerely hope the people will forgive me,'' he told the hundreds of reporters at his customary annual news conference after the close of his final National People's Congress in Beijing yesterday.
Despite overseeing overwhelming economic growth in the past decade, a remarkably frank Mr Wen highlighted income disparity, and a ''lack of credibility'' and corruption in the government among the biggest problems his ruling Communist Party had to eliminate. He said political reform - particularly of China's opaque leadership structure - was urgently needed to prevent the party's good work being undone.
''Reform in China has come to a critical stage,'' he said. ''Without the successful political structural reform it is impossible for us to institute economic structural reform and the gains we have made in this area may be lost.
''New problems that have cropped up in China's society will not be fundamentally resolved [without reform] and such historic tragedies as the Cultural Revolution may happen again.''
Mr Wen said he recognised a growing dissent among pockets of Chinese citizens and the ''government must seriously reflect'' on the people's views. The National People's Congress, the annual meeting of parliament, is hotly anticipated by the media for the rare glimpse it provides of the often intensely private world of the most senior leaders.
The genial Mr Wen, who turns 70 in September, is often affectionately referred to as Grandpa Wen in the media for his apparent ability to relate to ordinary people, and displays of compassion when he visits remote villages or disaster zones. Speaking with his trademark slow and even-paced cadence, Mr Wen paused between sentences to emphasise a point.
His voice rose a few decibels as he reiterated the stance that Tibet and Tibetan-inhabited regions were ''inseparable parts of Chinese territory''. He also lauded improved cross-strait relations with Taiwan.
A very laudable action and something Singapore leaders should emulate, humbleness and humility. Traits that marks a true leader when mistakes were made and admitted publicly. None of us expect perfection, but what really angers us is the non-admission of past mistakes and laying the blame squarely on the people for not doing our part or evading the issue.
The worst thing is to take credit when things go right.
THE Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao, has used one of his last public addresses to deliver a strong warning that China must take on ''urgent'' political reforms or risk the repeat of tragedies such as the Cultural Revolution.
Speaking before a once-a-decade leadership transition this year, a visibly emotional Mr Wen said he had ''many regrets'' from his nine years as premier and made an unprecedented apology for the ''many problems present in China's economy and society''.''I sincerely hope the people will forgive me,'' he told the hundreds of reporters at his customary annual news conference after the close of his final National People's Congress in Beijing yesterday.
Despite overseeing overwhelming economic growth in the past decade, a remarkably frank Mr Wen highlighted income disparity, and a ''lack of credibility'' and corruption in the government among the biggest problems his ruling Communist Party had to eliminate. He said political reform - particularly of China's opaque leadership structure - was urgently needed to prevent the party's good work being undone.
''Reform in China has come to a critical stage,'' he said. ''Without the successful political structural reform it is impossible for us to institute economic structural reform and the gains we have made in this area may be lost.
''New problems that have cropped up in China's society will not be fundamentally resolved [without reform] and such historic tragedies as the Cultural Revolution may happen again.''
Mr Wen said he recognised a growing dissent among pockets of Chinese citizens and the ''government must seriously reflect'' on the people's views. The National People's Congress, the annual meeting of parliament, is hotly anticipated by the media for the rare glimpse it provides of the often intensely private world of the most senior leaders.
The genial Mr Wen, who turns 70 in September, is often affectionately referred to as Grandpa Wen in the media for his apparent ability to relate to ordinary people, and displays of compassion when he visits remote villages or disaster zones. Speaking with his trademark slow and even-paced cadence, Mr Wen paused between sentences to emphasise a point.
His voice rose a few decibels as he reiterated the stance that Tibet and Tibetan-inhabited regions were ''inseparable parts of Chinese territory''. He also lauded improved cross-strait relations with Taiwan.
A very laudable action and something Singapore leaders should emulate, humbleness and humility. Traits that marks a true leader when mistakes were made and admitted publicly. None of us expect perfection, but what really angers us is the non-admission of past mistakes and laying the blame squarely on the people for not doing our part or evading the issue.
The worst thing is to take credit when things go right.
