Xi underlines self-reform of CPC in new era

Key study session focuses on staying true to original aspiration, better serving the people

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has underlined the need for the whole Party to stay true to its founding mission and have the courage for self-reform in the new era as the CPC prepares to mark its 98th anniversary on July 1.

Xi made the remark while presiding over a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Monday.

The study session came as an education campaign on the theme of "staying true to our founding mission" has been launched throughout the Party since June. The campaign urged all CPC members to keep firmly in mind the Party's fundamental purpose of wholeheartedly serving the people and its historic mission of realizing national rejuvenation.

How to maintain the Party's advanced nature and purity so as to make it perpetually vigorous and able to win people's eternal support while achieving long-lasting governance over the country are fundamental questions for which the Party must have good answers, Xi said.

The longer the CPC governs the country, the more important it is for the Party to keep in mind its founding mission as well as a spirit of self-reform, he added.

Xi attributed the Party's growth and victories to its remaining true to its original aspirations and always keeping in mind its missions to pursue happiness for the people and rejuvenate the Chinese nation.

As socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered the new era, Xi warned Party members and leading officials not to lose revolutionary spirit and fighting courage, and required them to eternally remain true to the Party's founding mission.

He highlighted the importance of carrying out self-reform within the Party as some dangerous problems and risks that possibly undermine the CPC's long-term governance have surfaced from time to time.

Problems and impediments that could shake the foundation of the Party must be eradicated through thorough self-reform, and Party members should listen to the people's voices and voluntarily accept the oversight of the people, he said.

"To forge iron, one must be strong," said Xi in his first public address after being elected general secretary of the CPC Central Committee in November 2012. His words nearly seven years ago spurred the whole Party to carry out self-reform.

After its 18th National Congress, CPC activities were undertaken to bring the Party closer to the people and officials were urged to maintain discipline and moral integrity.

The Party also required its members to have a solid understanding of the Party's Constitution, Party regulations and major policy addresses, as well as to adhere to Party standards of behavior.

All the measures aim to help the CPC curb undesirable practices such as complacency, formality and bureaucracy.

He Yiting, vice-president of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, said the courage to carry out self-reform is a big advantage of the CPC.

"It is easier to launch a revolution against others than against oneself," he said.

During the group study session, Xi also urged Party members and leading officials to keep studying and improve themselves, strengthen innovation in theory, practice and culture, and enhance political integrity so as to comprehensively improve governance ability.

He called for building a team of highly qualified leading officials who are clean, responsible and loyal to the Party.

Xi called for improving the oversight system of the Party to exercise strict discipline in cases of misconduct and allowing deserving Party members and leading officials to exercise initiative and creativity to make new achievements.

He stressed that staying true to the founding mission of the Party depends mainly on leading officials at various levels, particularly senior officials, and urged them to take the lead in the ongoing education campaign.

The latest campaign comes at a time the Party sees as a critical year of development.

China is less than two years away from finishing building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

Over the past 40 years, more than 700 million Chinese have emerged from poverty.

Since its 18th National Congress in 2012, over 80 million have been lifted out of poverty in rural areas. The country plans to help over 10 million people emerge from poverty this year.

The CPC is also tasked with various jobs including tackling pollution and forestalling and defusing major risks amid a rising tide of unilateralism and protectionism on the global stage.

During an inspection tour in Jiangxi province in May, Xi said the country depends on the firm faith and strong will of the whole Party and all people to overcome major challenges at home and abroad and secure new victories in building socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Xinhua contributed to this story.