VP stresses socialism with Chinese characteristics

BEIJING - Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping Tuesday called on officials and members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to enhance efforts to build socialism with Chinese characteristics and improve Party building.

Xi, who is also a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks at the closing ceremony of a high-profile seminar attended by provincial and ministerial-level officials, ahead of the CPC's upcoming 18th National Congress.

Socialism with Chinese characteristics is "deeply rooted" in China, and it accords with the country's situation and has a strong vitality, Xi said, adding that it was well-proven by the huge achievements made by the country over the past 30-odd years.

"In contemporary China, only socialism with Chinese characteristics can develop China, benefit people and revitalize the nation," he said.

The CPC with more than 82 million members is set to lead the great cause of the socialism with Chinese characteristics in the world's largest developing country with a population of 1.3 billion, Xi said.

The CPC and the Chinese people will strive towards the goal of establishing a well-off society in all-around way and a prosperous, democratic, civilized, harmonious and modernized country, as well as the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, he said.

Xi said the cause of building socialism with Chinese characteristics is a developing undertaking which links the past and the future.

"We should adhere to the guidance of Deng Xiaoping's Theory and the important thought of the Three Represents, implemented the Scientific Outlook on Development, further emancipate the mind and firmly promote reform and opening-up," Xi said.

Moreover, Xi stressed the significance of enhancing Party building.

"Enhancing Party building and making good use of the CPC's unique advantages developed during its long-term struggle according to new practical conditions, are the fundamental guarantees for all of our great undertakings so to overcome all difficulties and continue to march forward," he said.

Xi then expounded on the CPC's theoretical, political, organizational, institutional advantages, but added that the Party's greatest advantage is its close ties with the people.

The fundamental purpose of the Party is to serve the people wholeheartedly. The CPC sticks to the work line of "from the masses and to the masses," and insists that all the Party's work should show the will, interests and requirements of the people, he said.

"These advantages are the Party's heirlooms and valuable resources. Our Party can use these advantages to start from scratch and score great achievements, and will sure use them to create a better future," he said.

Xi called for unity and confidence in the central authority following President Hu's keynote speech delivered on Monday to open the two-day seminar.

Hu's speech analyzed the country's new situations and missions in terms of the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics, elaborated several key issues on the overall situation of the CPC and the country, and addressed a series of theoretical and practical issues concerning the future development of the Party and the country, Xi said.

The speech has a crucial importance in inspiring the people to fight for "building a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way" with confidence and in an open-minded, feasible yet innovative manner, Xi said.

Xi called on all party members and officials to thoroughly study and execute the spirit of Hu's speech, to focus on the implementation of the decisions of the central committee and down-to-earth work in promoting reform and development, as well as maintaining stability.

Li Keqiang and He Guoqiang, both Standing Committee members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, also attended the closing ceremony.