Hu Jintao, In Jiang Zemin`s Footsteps

Hu Jintao, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and President of China, showed an unwillingness, for the time being, to challenge the authority of Jiang Zemin, Chairman of China`s Central Military Commission by emphasizing the importance of the `Three Representatives` theory in his speech on the 82nd founding anniversary of the CPC Tuesday.

During the foundation ceremony, the first foundation ceremony since Hu took office as president last November, Hu, who was expected to present a blueprint for political reform on that day by western journalists, unexpectedly dedicated most of his speech emphasizing the study and implementation of the "Three Representatives” theory of Jiang Zemin.

The "Three Representatives" theory, formulated by Jiang, states that the CPC must always represent advanced production forces, advanced culture and a fundamental interest in the overwhelming majority of the Chinese people.”

The theory falls in line with Socialist Democracy or European people`s parties by embracing consumers and intellectuals, once previously the enemy of laborers and farmers.

“The `Three Representatives` theory meets the demands of the times and is a fundamental policy in realizing a middle-class society,” said Hu, as quoted during his speech by the Xinhua News Agency.

During the ceremony where a research discussion was also jointly scheduled, Hu and the nine-man Politburo Standing Committee including Wu Bangguo, Jia Qinglin, Zeng Qinghong, Huang Ju, Wu Guanzeng, Luo Gan and Li Changchun were in attendance with Li serving the role of chairman.

Hu`s speech suggests that despite his increased popularity with the Chinese people due to his recent successful eradication of SARS and his pro-U.S. policies, he still lacks the power to engage in face-to-face confrontation with Jiang`s side, a force still dominating the Politburo.

Hu mentioned political reform, such as democratizing the communist party and an administration responsibility system, but only in terms of abstract principles.

“President Hu Jintao only mentioned reform plans that do not conflict with the Shanghaibang,” Chinese sources said. “Hu already mentioned his intent of implementing reform measures at the China`s Newspaper Editor Association`s meeting and said he would send multiple candidates to the local and regional elections.”

“Hu will pursue a political reform plan which states that government authorities based on administration will be divided into three parts: planning, execution, and supervision in order to decentralize power while reinforcing the responsibility of the administration.”

Meanwhile, the number of China`s Communist Party members was announced to stand at 66,941,000 by the end of last year, an increase of 1,192,000 compared to 2001, the Central Committee reported.

Yoo-Sung Hwang yshwang@donga.com