China to advance democratic, political reforms: spokesman

A Chinese government spokesman said yesterday that he believed the Chinese people would enjoy greater democracy in the future as the country proceeded with reform of the political system, however, political restructuring needed to be in accordance with national conditions.

"We can be sure about the advancement of political structural reform in China, people's democracy will be expanded, socialist rule of law will continue to improve and the democratic rights enjoyed by the Chinese people will be broader and further substantiated and more effective," spokesman Cai Mingzhao said at a press conference.

Calling political restructuring "an important part" of China's comprehensive reform, Cai said the Communist Party of China (CPC) had always placed political structural reform in an important position of the scheme of the country's overall reform.

While conducting political structural reform in China, the CPC had to consider the national reality obtaining in China and unswervingly move along the right path made by the Party and the people amid long-term practise.

"We should not be intimidated by any risk or be confused by any distraction," added Cai, spokesman for the 18th CPC National Congress, which is set to open in Beijing today.

Responding to a question about intra-party construction at the 18th CPC National Congress, Cai said the CPC needed to keep pace with the times and improve intra-party democracy as intra-party democracy was the party's lifeline.