Teng: Carrying out reform needs a continuous leadership

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China’s latest constitutional amendment makes this year’s Two Sessions, China’s annual political season, very eye-catching - particularly the news of presidential term limits being removed.

CGTN’s Tian Wei spoke to Fred Teng, the president of the American China Public Affairs Institute, during the Two Sessions.

Mr. Teng believes the contributions of each generation of leaders need to be recognized. In addition, the amendment doesn’t mean a change in the roadmap, but reinforcing the path China believes in.

“I think they are doing a critically good job right now.”

“And I think the people of China, that’s more important, is comfortable with that and also recognizing all the generations of leaders, their contributions.”

“And China is a continuously evolving country, but is not changing direction, is going through a direction that actually enhances in each of the generations.”

Fred also elaborated on the link between the latest constitutional amendment and the ongoing reform.

“In order to carry out the agenda and the reform, we need a continuous leadership.”

“In a country like America, when you have your second term and term limits, you are going a lame duck session, which means your authority has been already cut. And people are not listening no matter how great the agenda is. They are thinking about next term. ”

“This (China’s constitutional amendment) is actually very helpful for China’s overall growth and [to] achieve its goal at that time.”

Regarding the support from the Chinese people if the amendment is approved, Mr. Teng pointed out that the way the Chinese government has managed the amendment ensures its implementation.

“By attending this conference, I think that there’s a lot of studying, understanding, analysis of this whole policy. That has to cascade down to each of the level.”

“One of it is the credibility of the government. And I think they are doing this way, this very meticulous way, voting, approving it, having drafts of it, disclosing to the public. It makes [it] more credible.”

“Once it’s approved, I am pretty sure [that] a lot of Chinese people will understand what leadership is going through and how they can support this overall goal.”