Economists plead case for reform

Two Chinese economists have urged government reformers to maintain their efforts in the face of growing opposition from traditionalists, the Financial Times reported. Wu Jinglian, an adviser to parliament, accused “some adherents of the old system” of redirecting negative social and economic issues into opposition to reform. He identified improvements to the market and legal environment as the key tests facing China over the next five years. Xu Xiaonian, a finance expert and colleague of Professor Wu at the China Europe International Business School, added that the current conflict came down to a decision whether or not to persevere with the market reforms introduced by Deng Xiaoping. Their remarks reflect reformers’ concerns at the increasingly public opposition to foreign involvement in China's economy from advocates of a system in which the state retains primacy.