In the past three decades, the driving forces of China's reform have been domestic ones. Following the course of deep, wide public opinion, decisionmakers have promoted significant changes to the system.

China is facing both external pressures and domestic problems, like unfair wealth distribution and the lack of supervision in its political system. Some advocate radical means, accompanied with mass movements and traditional ideologies, to address the problems.

Pursuing democracy must be the basis for the ruling party's legitimacy. But this cannot be realized through radical means. Political radicalism can easily leave leeway for dictatorship, suppression of individual freedom and the lack of the rule of law. China experienced the nightmare of the Cultural Revolution (196676), and there is no way to build a democratic society through the rule of the mob.

In order to stymie political radicalism, a fair social system must be built. Many problems in current China, such as the wealth gap and corruption, are fundamentally attributable to the lack of social justice. Only through guaranteeing social justice can we ensure social stability and good prospects.

A strong middle layer of society should also be established as soon as possible, which is the basis of a democratic society.

We need to transform farmers into citizens through sustaining, rapid urbanization. This will help ensure smooth social transition too.

Moreover, a limited government is dispensable. So far, China's reform is also a process of transformation from an unlimited government to a limited one. In other words, the central government delegates power to local authorities, and local governments give power to the public.

The building of a limited government does not lower government efficiency. Instead, it helps address problems like the abuse of power, corruption, and the lack of credibility of many government departments.

Building a limited government actually creates great potential for China's future development. At the moment, China must accelerate the establishment of a limited government through constitutional means, so as to ensure the success of its political reform.

In the future, China needs to expand trials in local political reform throughout the nation. Such reform should be gradually boosted in a transparent, open and rational manner.

The author is a scholar living in Japan. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn