The speech made by President Hu Jintao at the Communist Party of China Central Committee's Party School on June 25 aroused responses around the country. People's Daily has published a series of editorials on Hu's speech. The following is an excerpt from one in Saturday's paper:

President Hu stressed that we must take Deng Xiaoping Theory and the Three Representatives thought as our guide, fully put into practice the scientific outlook on development, further emancipate the mind, implement the policy of reform and opening-up, promote social harmony and strive for the successful construction of an overall well-off society. These are of vital importance to continue the smooth development of the State.

To emancipate the mind is the basic requirement of the Party's ideology and the magic weapon for us to cope with new situations and make breakthroughs. The Party's past experiences show that every major practical development and theoretical breakthrough are the results of emancipating the mind.

At present the country is facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges. Only by unswervingly emancipating the mind, improving the ability to study new situations and solve new problems can we understand the development trends in today's world and understand people's new expectations, make strategic outlines and policies that fit the requirements of the time and wishes of the people.

We need to implement the policy of reform and opening-up to develop social productivity and vigorous institutional systems. This policy is the strong force in developing socialism with Chinese characteristics. The country has achieved great success in the past 29 years. We should further enhance our determination and confidence to deepen the reform and expand China's opening to the outside world.

Scientific development and a harmonious society are the basic requirements to develop socialism with Chinese characteristics and also the inner demand to realize good and steady social economic growth.

Since the 16th National Congress of the CPC, the CPC Central Committee has advanced the major strategic tasks to implement the concept of scientific development and construct a harmonious socialist society.

To build an overall well-off society is the 2020 target of the Party and the country. The process will be demanding but the great target urges us to forge ahead courageously.

(China Daily 07/03/2007 page10)