Wen Jiabao
BEIJING: Premier Wen Jiabao said on Monday (26 March 2012) China could face a threat to its power structure unless it stamps out rampant corruption among officials. If corruption is not checked the legitimacy of one-party rule will be in jeopardy.
Wen called on senior officials to disclose their personal details, including information on spouses and children.
Wen, a vocal advocate of measured relaxation under party control, has called for political reform. He also warned that failure to act against graft and income disparity could bring back the chaos of Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution.
He retires next year, along with President Hu Jintao, after a decade in power to pave the way for leadership renewal. During that time, China has grown to become the world’s second-biggest economy, but one plagued by corruption and a growing income gap.
Critics say Hu and Wen have failed to pursue reform vigorously enough to underpin long-term growth and wealth creation.
