China must adopt political change to support its economic transformation, said outgoing Prime Minister Wen Jiabao on 15 March. He also revealed that he had many regrets and felt guilty about problems in Chinese society.
Wen’s international press conference, held at the Great Hall of the People on Tiananmen Square, called specifically for “reform of the party and the mechanism of the leadership.” Experienced commentators said this view did not, however, appear to accord with those generally expressed by the Communist Party leadership.
After also warning against a repeat of the 1966-76 Cultural Revolution, Wen expressed optimism that the democratic system would move forward in keeping with “national conditions.”
