Hu Jintao Addresses Party Congress - Rapid Economic Growth Must Be Top Priority - FT

[hatrack]

China’s ruling communist party has named the maintenance of strong economic growth as its top priority, even as it acknowledges the need to pay greater attention to the environment and social welfare.

Hu Jintao, party secretary, said in his opening address Monday to the party congress, held every few years, that development was of “decisive significance to build a moderately prosperous society…and socialist modernisation.” “Rapid development represents the most remarkable achievement ,” he said.

EDIT

Mr Hu restated the government’s determination in his speech to recalibrate China’s economic model away from growth-at-all-costs in favour of a more “balanced and sustainable” output. In support of his policy aim, Mr Hu is using the congress to enshrine in the party’s constitution what he calls “scientific development”, which broadly translates to what is know in the west as sustainable development.

Mr Hu and Wen Jiabao, the premier, have used the issue of sustainable development and the introduction of a welfare safety net to distinguish themselves from the previous administration, which focused more intently on growth alone.

EDIT

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/eac9adc0-7ac0-11dc-9bee-0000779fd2ac.html?nclick_check=1

Whew! And I'd been all worried there for a minute!

[NickB79]

1. Could you repeat that?

I couldn't hear you over the sound of me shitting myself.

We are so very, very screwed.

[phantom power]

5. Now I have to wipe coffee off my monitor.

:rofl:

[Art_from_Ark]

2. When China really gets ramped up

it will be like the world's population has suddenly increased by 20%. Add to that India's participation, with another billion people, and you've got a recipe for "interesting" times ahead.

[XemaSab]

3. Lemme guess...

the set target for total development is 2013. :P

[tom_paine]

4. Another example showing Commies and Bushies ae two branches of the same

authoritarian tree. Peas in a pod. Tyrannical soulmates.