Wen: no democracy for 100 years

Communist leaders have no plans to allow democracy in the near future because they must focus on economic development before political reform, according to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, AP reported. Democracy will emerge once a "mature socialist system" develops, but that might not happen for up to 100 years, the Premier wrote in an article in the People's Daily. The communist government has carried out limited political reforms in recent years, allowing nonpartisan elections for the lowest-level village leadership posts in some areas. Wen's comments appeared as the government prepares for its annual parliament session, the National People's Congress, which opens Monday.