Commentary: Party building essential

In his remarks at the opening of a workshop attended by newly elected members and alternate members of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, as well as provincial- and ministerial-level officials on Friday, General Secretary Xi Jinping urged the whole Party to consistently rectify its work style and strictly follow the rules to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Xi called for "consistently" promoting the "great new project of Party building" and emphasized the Party needs to rid itself of unhealthy tendencies to maintain its vitality. The workshop was organized to promote the study and implementation of "Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era" and the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress.

In his remarks, Xi reminded those present that it is not easy for the Party to maintain its original spirit of diligence; it is not easy for it to be frugal and keep in mind its original aspirations; it also not easy for it keep its officials well disciplined, clean and diligent; and it is not easy for it to follow the will of the people in governing the country.

But Xi said that such a big Party with more than 80 million members can only be defeated by itself, which means the Party must constantly rid itself of all bad apples and keep all its members well aware the danger of the Party becoming rotten from within.

He required that all the ranking officials must not just be politically confident in socialism with Chinese characteristics but also be professional in doing their work. They are also required to be clean and have the awareness of putting the needs of the people before their own interests in discharging their duties.

Only with all its members and officials having a strong sense of responsibility and awareness of serving the people will the Party be able to enjoy the support of the Chinese people.