Xi Jinping rules out Western-style political reform for China

President Xi Jinping dismissed notions of Western-style political reform and underscored the importance of one-party rule in a speech delivered at the Great Hall of the People yesterday.

In remarks celebrating the 60th anniversary of the National People's Congress, Xi said China must have a unified leadership to ensure the country's development would not be diverted.

Xi said cadres must "adhere to the central leadership of the party" and improve "overall coordination" to prevent the government from becoming "leaderless [and] fragmented".

The government must prevent "political fighting and wrangling between political parties", he said.

Jacques deLisle, professor of law and political science at the University of Pennsylvania, said political reform appeared to be low on Xi's agenda.

"The picture that has emerged in Xi's first two years in power is that either he does not have a political reform agenda with liberal or democratic elements, or that it is not his priority. It ranks below economic reform, anti-corruption, and other issues related to the legitimacy of the party," deLisle said.

Even before Xi assumed office in early 2013, the question of his political direction vexed China analysts. Many were optimistic after the son of late reformist leader Xi Zhongxun chose Shenzhen, the symbol of China's open-door policy, as the place for his first official visit.