Over-centralized power remains key obstacle

BEIJING - The over-centralization of power is still hindering China's development more than 30 years after late leader Deng Xiaoping addressed the same problem, a Communist Party of China (CPC) newspaper said Monday.

In 1980, Deng said the over-centralization was the root of many problems with the country's leadership, including a lack of internal democracy and excessive privilege, said a commentary in the Study Times, a weekly newspaper affiliated with the Party School of the Central Committee of the CPC.

"The problems still exist," the commentary said.

It said that with over-centralization, power will never function transparently, a fact that is undermining the common political identity of society and damaging the image of the CPC.

In light of the urgency of political reforms and other problems, further reforms are unavoidable and are the only solution for many problems facing society, said the commentary.

Reforms should focus on the most practical problems of the greatest and most direct concern to the people, including the widening income gap, corruption, establishing a democratic system for supervision and social justice.

It warned that the public credibility of some local authorities has dropped, resulting in increasing administrative costs and pressure to maintain social stability.

However, reforms should also be conducted in an orderly way, it stressed.

It specified a list of items that should be focused on by authorities, including upholding the CPC's authority and avoiding copying the political systems of other countries while reforming the country's basic political system.

In addition, it also highlighted the need to gather public opinions and keep society well-informed in making decisions, as well as to bring concrete and apparent benefits to win support from the people.