China's Hu says corruption threatens state, promises reform

China President Hu Jintao, who is preparing to hand over power after a decade in office, has called for sterner measures to combat official corruption that is threatening the ruling Communist Party and the state. In an opening speech of a session which will usher in a new generation of leaders, the outgoing president also pledged for a political reform. More than 2,300 hand-picked delegates gathered at Beijing's cavernous Great Hall of the People for the start of the week-long session, held against a backdrop of growing social unrest, public anger at graft and a wide gap between rich and poor.