China not to imitate Western political systems :Yu Zhengsheng

"We need to steadfastly uphold the leadership of the CPC, adhere to and improve the system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation under its leadership," said Yu Zhengsheng, who took over as the new Chairman of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

"We need to more strictly follow the socialist path of political development with Chinese characteristics, not imitate Western political systems under any circumstances and always adhere to the correct political orientation," Yu said yesterday addressing the concluding session of the weeklong annual session of the body comprising of 2,000 members.

The new leader of the CPC, Xi Jinping, along with outgoing President Hu Jintao and retiring Premier Wen Jiabao and other leaders attended the session, which meets once in a year.

Though CPC has permitted eight political parties, they are little known and function under strict guidelines of the ruling Party. The eight parties together officially has over eight lakh membership.

62-year-old Yu, the fourth ranking leader in the powerful seven member standing committee, carried the tag of a "missile man" as he majored in missile engineering. He was elected to the new post yesterday.

His speech was very much on the lines of the outgoing head of the main legislature, the National People's Congress,(NPC), Wu Bangguo who made it clear that the one-party system would continue, ruling out any political reforms even though the CPC looks to carry out more economic reforms to boost the slowing economy.

China last year posted 7.8 per cent GDP compared to 9.3 per cent the previous year. This year's target was fixed at 7.5 per cent keeping in mind the global slowdown denting the country's export oriented economy.

The CPC headed by Mao Zedong which took over power in 1949 continued its uninterrupted run riding high on the last three decades accelerated economic development, propelling China to become the second largest economy in the world.

The party just completed its once-in-a-decade leadership change regarded as smooth transfer of power to a new generation of leaders bellying speculation about power struggle between hardliners and moderates.

The present leadership transition would conclude with 59-year-old Xi taking over as President before the conclusion of the NPC session on March 17, completing the power transfer.

Li Keqiang, the second ranking new leader would take over as new Premier, heading a new cabinet and new administration.