China not to copy Western system

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BEIJING, March 12 (UPI) -- China should strictly follow the socialist path and not copy the Western political system, the new leader of the top political advisory body said Tuesday.

"We need to steadfastly uphold the leadership of the Communist Party of China, adhere to and improve the system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC," said Yu Zhengsheng, newly elected chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Addressing more than 2,000 political advisers, Yu said: "We need to more strictly follow the socialist path of political development with Chinese characteristics, not imitate Western political systems under any circumstances, always adhere to the correct political orientation, and strengthen the CPPCC's ideological and political foundations of collective struggle."

Yu, who is also a member of the powerful Politburo Standing Committee, said thoroughly implementing the guiding principles of the party congress held in November is the foremost political task of the CPPCC, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. The November congress also marked the party's once-in-a-decade leadership transition.

Yu also called on the political advisers to constantly deepen their understanding of the path, system of theories and system of socialism with Chinese characteristics.