China's top graft-buster breaks taboo by discussing Communist Party's 'legitimacy'

Open discussion by top graft-buster Wang Qishan about the legitimacy of the ruling Communist Party - a topic long deemed unquestionable - has raised the eyebrows of some commentators.

"The legitimacy of the Communist Party of China derives from history, and depends on whether it is supported by the will of the people; it is the people's choice," Wang said when meeting some 60 overseas attendants of the Party and World Dialogue 2015 in Beijing on Wednesday.

Analysts said the aberration was a step forward but some disagreed with Wang's interpretation of "legitimacy".

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Zhang Lifan, a Beijing-based commentator, said Wang's remarks reflected a shift of attitude in the party as a result of intensified social conflicts and increasing pressure from an underperforming economy.

"In the past, the issue was not allowed to be discussed, because the [party] thinks [its rule] is justified unquestionably. As the old saying goes, 'political power grows out of the barrel of a gun'. They fought their way into the ruling position, instead of being elected into it," Zhang said.

"Its legitimacy was maintained by relying on economic growth, but now economic growth is facing problems. In the past people thought [the party] could continue governing and did not have strong opposition to it because they still had money in their pocket. Now the size of their pockets have shrunk," he said.