Party Members Warned on Incompetence, Graft

China’s Communist Party has called on its members to improve their ability to run the nation, warning in unusually self-critical language that some of its leaders lack integrity and competence and that the party’s “life and death” are in the balance.

The urgent appeal, in a report by the party Central Committee, reflected the leadership’s fear that rising anger at rampant corruption could undermine acceptance of Communist rule.

The report called on members to “develop a stronger sense of crisis” about reform, warning that Communist control of the state “will not remain forever if the party does nothing to safeguard it.”