BEIJING, Sept 30: China will remain firmly in the grip of the ruling Communist Party, but corruption will be rooted out and "socialist democracy" expanded, Premier Wen Jiabao said on Thursday.

"China must follow the path of independently building socialism with Chinese characteristics under the firm leadership of the Chinese Communist Party," Mr Wen said in a National Day address.

"Enhancing and improving the leadership of the party is the fundamental guarantee for a successful building of socialism with Chinese characteristics." Mr Wen delivered his speech before hundreds of officials gathered at Beijing's Great Hall of the People to mark Friday's 55th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

While pointing out that in 45 more years the People's Republic would be marking its centenary, Mr Wen stressed the need to expand a crackdown on corruption. "We must carry out the fight on corruption in a more intensive manner and severely punish those guilty of corruption," he said. He also said that expansion of "socialist democracy" and the rule of law would be goals for his government. -AFP