Derek McDowell
Ceist:49 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the implications, if any, of the recent Congress of the Chinese Communist Party. [14731/97]
Written Answers - Chinese Communist Party Congress.
The 15th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party took place in Beijing from 12 to 18 September.
The Party Congress meets every five years. It is primarily concerned with the internal political affairs of the People's Republic of China.
The principal focus of interest at the 15th Congress was the keynote address of the Party's Secretary General, Jiang Zemin, on 12 September which set out the policy guidelines for the next five years and unveiled wide ranging proposals for the reform and modernisation of China's state enterprise system. He also clearly reaffirmed China's commitment to continued economic reform.
In his speech, President Jiang furthermore promised to expand recent experiments in local democracy, to strengthen the rule of law, to step up the fight against corruption and to reduce China's armed forces by 500,000 over the next three years.
The Congress also elected a new central committee which in turn elected a new political bureau and a seven member standing committee. The central committee also re-elected Jiang Zemin as General Secretary.
It would be premature at this early date to offer a definitive assessment of the 15th Party Congress. It is clear that the economic reform process initiated by Deng Xiaoping will continue through the reform and restructuring of China's state enterprise system and the development of what is termed a market-led socialist economy. This commitment is to be welcomed by all who wish to see China realise its huge potential as a major world economy. Strengthening of the rule of law and extension of local democracy are also features to be warmly welcomed as an indication of the Communist Party's recognition of the importance of political reform.
The Government will continue to follow with close interest political and economic developments in China in particular the implementation of the policy commitments outlined at the 15th Party Congress.