Xi plants trees in Beijing, urging nationwide afforestation efforts for jointly building beautiful China

BEIJING, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday attended a voluntary tree planting activity in Beijing and called for nationwide efforts in afforestation to jointly build a beautiful China.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed that around the Qingming Festival the vast land of China is brimming with vitality, making it an ideal time for tree planting.

Today, as we plant trees together, our goal is to call on everyone to take action, actively participate in afforestation, and strive to be green ambassadors and pioneers of ecology, so as to add a greener and colorful hue to the building of a beautiful China and jointly compose a new chapter of Chinese modernization where humanity and nature exist in harmony, he said.

In the suburbs of Beijing, spring was in full swing. At around 10:40 a.m., Xi and other Party and state leaders, including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and Han Zheng, arrived at Lucheng Town, Tongzhou District of Beijing together, and joined people from the capital to plant trees.

The planting site is located at the junction of Beijing's Tongzhou District and the three counties in northern Langfang City of Hebei Province. With good waterfront ecological condition, it is situated at a forest park along the Chaobai River, the first cross-regional park jointly built by Beijing and Hebei Province.

On sight of Xi, officials and locals greeted him warmly. Xi waved to the crowd to extend greetings, and then picked up a shovel, walked to the site, and began busy planting trees with officials from the Beijing municipal government and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration as well as officials, people and members of the Chinese Young Pioneers from the capital.

Shoveling the soil, building soil berms, watering the trees... Xi planted saplings of multiple types of trees, including Chinese pine, Cotinus coggygria, Yuanbao maple, cherry, flowering peach and platycladus orientalis. While planting trees, he also asked the children around him about their study, life and their participation in labor and sports.

He stressed that young people are the future of the motherland, and they need to engage themselves in labor and afforestation from childhood, so as to sow a green seed into the heart and develop their awareness to revere and love nature. They should study hard, build up their bodies, grow up stronger, develop all-round qualities of sound moral grounding, intellectual ability, physical vigor, aesthetic sensibility, and work skills, and strive to become the backbone of the country, he urged. The site, bustling with tree planting activities, exuded a warm atmosphere as leaders worked together with others to earth up and water trees.

During cordial talks with officials and local people on site, Xi said that he had taken part in the voluntary tree planting activity in Beijing for 17 consecutive years since he sat on the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. He noted that this year marks the 45th anniversary of China establishing its National Tree Planting Day, and Chinese people have been dedicated to planting trees and afforestation, turning once barren mountains into lush ones, and deserts into oases, and making remarkable achievements. At the same time, we should be aware that the scarcity of forest resources is still a prominent problem in the country, and the role of forests as a "treasure house" has not been given a full play, he said. Increasing green coverage is to bring greater development strengths, and planting trees is to plant future. Trees must be planted one after another and from generation to generation, so as to continuously enrich the country's green resources, he said.

Xi stressed that to make China greener, concerted efforts should be made in green expansion, invigoration and protection. Green expansion means scientifically carrying out large-scale land greening in line with local conditions and suitable tree types, and at the appropriate time and with the right methods. In this way, we can make every planted tree alive and every planted patch green. Green invigoration means emphasizing the quality and efficiency of greening, expanding channels for turning the country's lucid waters and lush mountains into invaluable assets, and promoting the coordination of the role of forests in conserving water, bringing in economic benefits, boosting grain production and serving as a carbon sink, so as to achieve integrated ecological, economic and social benefits of forests. Green protection means strengthening the conservation of forest and grassland resources with sound anti-fire work and carrying out a thorough inspection into and rectification of major risks and hidden dangers, so as to safeguard the hard-won achievements in land greening.

The Three North region (northeast China, north China and northwest China) is the main battlefield for land greening, Xi said, urging more efforts to be focused on the construction of the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program to fortify the green Great Wall in northern China.

Xi pointed out that everyone should fulfill the responsibility to take part in nationwide greening programs. It is important to keep the channels for people's participation open, come up with new models of fulfilling responsibilities, and make full use of the forest chief system, he said, urging the mobilization from all circles to promote the nationwide voluntary tree planting campaign to go deeper and more substantive.

Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, members of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and state councilors in Beijing participated in the tree planting activity. ■

CPC leadership reviews disciplinary inspection report

BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee met on March 29 to review a comprehensive report on the second round of disciplinary inspection missions of the 20th CPC Central Committee. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting.

It was noted at the meeting that the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has attached importance to disciplinary inspection work, and has arranged two rounds of such inspection missions since the 20th CPC National Congress, which had covered all centrally-administered enterprises. It was pointed out at the meeting that Party-building work in centrally-administered enterprises and relevant government departments had been strengthened, with new achievements in terms of the Party's full and rigorous self-governance. But there are still some problems that must be taken very seriously from a political standpoint and addressed earnestly.

Inspections and rectifications followed must be taken as the pivot for promoting high-quality development and exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance. Organization and leadership must be strengthened to see that key parties assume their primary responsibilities, and problems, tasks, and responsibilities must be put on a list, so as to ensure that every problem has a solution and feedback. Oversight over inspections and rectifications must be strengthened, key officials and events be placed under tight scrutiny to make sure that every case is addressed as required. An accountability system must be established for rectifications to ensure that those who are perfunctory or cheat in the rectifications will be strictly held to account.

It was emphasized at the meeting that state-owned enterprises (SOE) are the crucial material and political foundation for socialism with Chinese characteristics. It is imperative to uphold and consolidate Party's leadership, and thoroughly study and put into practice Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. SOEs must perform their duties and fulfill their missions in a down-to-earth manner, and must uphold General Secretary Xi Jinping's core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and uphold the Central Committee's authority and centralized, unified leadership. They must ensure both development and security, be vigilant against potential dangers, be prepared to deal with worst-case scenarios, resolutely prevent and mitigate risks and ensure high-quality development with high-level safety.

It is imperative to make advances in exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance, with rigor being maintained for the work in every aspect. Oversight of "top leaders" and leaderships must be strengthened, and crackdown on corruption must continue to be carried out with a high hand. Cases must be studied and used for promoting rectification of conduct and Party governance so that the soil and conditions that breed corruption will be eliminated.

It is imperative to conscientiously implement the Party's organizational line for the new era and strengthen the building of leaderships, ranks of officials, talent pool as well as grassroots Party organizations. What has been achieved from disciplinary inspections must be put to good use. It is also essential to conduct in-depth research on common and deep-seated problems discovered in disciplinary inspections, further improve the related systems and mechanisms, and tackle not only symptoms but also root causes.

Other matters were also discussed at the meeting. ■

Xi calls on Hunan to write its chapter in advancing Chinese modernization

CHANGSHA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping called on central China's Hunan Province to have a clear understanding of its strategic positioning in the fostering of a new development paradigm, uphold the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, remain committed to high-quality development, persist in reform and innovation and follow a realistic and pragmatic approach. He urged the province to continue to strive in building itself into a national hub for important and advanced manufacturing industries, a sci-tech and innovation center with core competitiveness, and a pacesetter for reform and opening up of China's inland regions. By vigorously energizing the central region and promoting the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Hunan should try to write its own chapter in advancing Chinese modernization, Xi said.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks on an inspection tour to the province from March 18 to 21.

On the inspection tour, Xi visited Changsha, Changde and other places, conducting fact-finding missions in a school, an enterprise, a historical and cultural district, a village and so on. He was accompanied by Shen Xiaoming, secretary of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee, and Mao Weiming, governor of Hunan Province.

On the afternoon of March 18, Xi first inspected Hunan First Normal University in Changsha City. The predecessor of the university was Cheng Nan Academy founded in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). In modern times, a large number of revolutionaries and renowned scholars were graduates of the university. At the university, he visited an exhibition featuring Mao Zedong in his youth and learned about the development history of the university and its effective utilization of resources related to the history of the CPC. At the great hall of the university, he chatted with students and faculty representatives. Xi said, for a country to be strong, good education matters. Xi said that Hunan First Normal University is a perfect place to carry out education on patriotism and pass on the traditions of Chinese revolution, urging efforts to protect the university's resources related to the Party's heritage and put it to great use. If a university is to foster students' virtues through education, teachers must first become great educators, he said. Xi called on the university to not only focus on improving the cultural literacy of students, but also make efforts to give good ideological-political courses, so as to cultivate students who could appreciate virtues and have a sense of shame. The university is urged to guide students to firmly uphold core socialist values, and motivate them to have great aspirations of serving the country and strive to become pillars of the society, who will be able to shoulder the responsibilities of building China into a strong country and realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Later on, Xi inspected BASF Shanshan Battery Materials Co., Ltd. The company is a Chinese-German joint venture mainly in the business of research in and development, manufacturing, and sales of anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Xi listened to the locality's briefing on the progress of developing new quality productive forces at a faster pace and expanding high-level opening up, watched the product display of the company, and learned about the performance test of the materials and the battery production process. Xi stressed that the key to enterprises' consistent growth and success lies in scientific and technological innovation and high-quality development, and private enterprises and joint ventures have great potentials to tap in this regard. "China will keep opening its door wider. We would like to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with other countries and we welcome more foreign companies to invest and develop in China," Xi said.

On March 19, Xi went to the city of Changde for inspection. The Changde Hejie, located along the Yuanjiang River, has a long history. It was once destroyed in the Battle of Changde in 1943. In recent years, Changde has made efforts to transform this area into a historical and cultural block by restoring the unique features of this old street. On the morning of March 19, Xi visited Changde Hejie, where he had a look at various local special snacks, specialties, and special handicrafts, talked amicably with shopkeepers and tourists, and watched a display of intangible cultural heritage skills. He also learned in detail about the restoration and utilization of historical and cultural blocks, urban planning, and the comprehensive management of urban water environment. Xi noted that diverse traditional local cultures with their unique features jointly constitute the brilliant Chinese civilization and help promote socioeconomic development. He said that Changde boasts a rich cultural heritage, adding that traditional art forms, such as string music, high-pitched tunes and folk songs, should be well inherited and utilized through suitable means, advancing in line with the times.

Hunan is one of the thirteen major grain-producing provinces in China, with its paddy acreage and total output ranking first in the country. On the afternoon of March 19, Xi inspected the city's Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, where he walked into a comprehensive demonstration area for grain production to inspect seedling cultivation and the progress in preparations for spring farming. During the inspection, Xi was briefed on local efforts to promote high-quality agricultural modernization and calculated the input-output accounts with local large-scale grain producers, agricultural technicians and grassroots officials. Xi underlined that we must be resolved to ensure food security for our population of over 1.4 billion people, and the bowls of the Chinese people should be filled mainly with Chinese grain. It is necessary to build high-standard farmland, adopt operation of appropriate scale, strengthen policy support and demonstration guidance, intensify the promotion of good varieties, good opportunities and good methods, work hard in intensive cultivation, and further increase the yield per unit and quality of grain. In this way, growing grain can be a way to become rich, and more farmers will be attracted to participate in the development of large-scale modern agriculture, and a steady and solid path will be paved for agricultural modernization with Chinese characteristics.

Xi then visited the home of Dai Hong, a major grain producer, to see whether agricultural machinery and other materials are ready for spring ploughing, and then went to the village's service center for Party members and villagers to learn about what has been done to ease burdens on grassroots and improve the efficiency of primary-level governance. He pointed out that work must be done to rectify pointless formalities and bureaucratism, and the government should be streamlined so that a good job can be done in this regard. He encouraged grassroots officials to pool collective wisdom and efforts for industrial development and rural governance, so that they can constantly make achievements that win villagers' approval.

When he was leaving, villagers crowded around to bid farewell to the general secretary. Xi told them with deep feeling that the CPC Central Committee attaches great importance to the work of agriculture, rural areas and farmers, will definitely take practical and effective policies and measures to respond to the concerns and needs of the people, and turn the beautiful blueprint of rural revitalization into reality. The applause from villagers reverberated through the village.

On the morning of March 21, Xi was briefed on the work of the province by the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee and the provincial government, and he affirmed what the province has achieved in various aspects of its work.

Xi noted that scientific and technological innovation is the core element for developing new quality productive forces. It is imperative to work harder on promoting industrial innovation through technological innovation, proactively align with the force of national strategic science and technology, and introduce first-class research and development institutions both at home and abroad, so as to boost the country's own innovation capacity in key areas. The principal role of enterprises in innovation should be reinforced, and deeper integration of the innovation, industrial, capital and talent chains should be promoted to speed up transforming scientific and technological achievements into productive forces. With a focus on industries where the country excels, it is essential to strengthen industrial foundation re-engineering and research on major technologies and equipment, and continue to strengthen and expand the advanced manufacturing sector to move the industries toward high-end, smart and green production and create industrial clusters at a national level.

Xi stressed that a problem-oriented approach should be adopted when further deepening reform in all respects, and efforts should focus on overcoming the bottlenecks and obstacles constraining the creation of a new development paradigm and the promotion of high-quality development, responding to the challenges and difficulties regarding the environment for development and people's well-being, and addressing the central and hot issues that go against social fairness and justice. Major risks must be effectively prevented and mitigated. As a result, we will keep providing impetus and vitality for economic and social development, Xi said. He called on Hunan to strengthen reform on system integration, better participate in the building of a unified national market, deeply integrate itself into the strategies of promoting the rise of the central region and the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, as well as the development of the Belt and Road Initiative, steadily expand institutional opening up, do a good job in building pilot free trade zones at a high standard, and work hard to build the pioneering zone for in-depth China-Africa economic and trade cooperation.

Xi noted that promoting rural revitalization in all respects is the pivot of the work related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers on the new journey of the new era. Hunan Province should shoulder the heavy task of safeguarding national food security, pay special attention to the two key factors of farmland and seed, and speed up efforts to make breakthroughs in core technologies in seed industry and agricultural machinery. Xi noted the imperative of adopting an all-encompassing approach to agriculture and food, and vigorously developing agriculture with local characteristics and agricultural product processing industry to upgrade the industrialization level of agriculture. Xi called for more efforts in promoting the integrated development of urban and rural areas, strengthening county economies, facilitating the flow of factors between urban and rural areas, and coordinating the planning of rural infrastructure and public services in a sound manner. It is a must to promote cultural and ethical advancement and the transformation of outdated rural customs. Xi stressed the necessity of optimizing the community-level governance system led by Party organizations that combines self-governance, the rule of law and the rule of virtue. It is also imperative to adhere to and develop the "Fengqiao Model" in the new era. Monitoring and assistance mechanisms should be optimized to prevent those lifted out of poverty from falling back to poverty and see that no large number of people become poverty-stricken again.

Xi stressed that Hunan Province should better undertake the new cultural mission and contribute to the development of a modern Chinese civilization. It is imperative to do a good job in the protection and utilization of the resources related to the CPC history, strengthen education in revolutionary tradition and patriotism, and guide Party officials and the public to carry forward the fine traditions and revolutionary heritage of the CPC. It is also imperative to practice core socialist values and cultivate new trends and customs for the new era. It is important to explore effective mechanisms for the integration of culture and science and technology, and accelerate the development of new forms and models of culture, so as to create more growth points for the cultural industry. Efforts should be made to promote the deep integration of culture and tourism, guard the green mountains and rivers, blue sky and clean land of the province, and transform natural scenery and humanistic flavor into the enduring appeal of tourism.

Xi pointed out that to promote high-quality development and advance Chinese modernization, it is a must to strengthen and improve Party building. It is imperative to consolidate and expand what has been achieved in the theoretical study program, establish and improve long-term mechanisms, have a correct understanding of what it means to perform well, and persistently rectify pointless formalities to reduce burden on grass-roots units. Education on Party discipline should be well organized and carried out to guide all Party members and officials to learn, know, understand and abide by Party discipline. Leading officials should be urged to have a correct understanding of how power should be exercised, namely that power must be exercised fairly, in accordance with the law, for the people, and in a clean manner.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi on the inspection tour.

Li Ganjie, He Lifeng and leading officials from relevant central Party and state departments were also on the inspection tour.

On the morning of March 20, Xi met with officers above colonel level of the armed forces stationed in Changsha. He extended sincere greetings to all officers and soldiers of Changsha-based troops on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, and had a photo taken with them. Zhang Youxia accompanied Xi during the meeting. ■

Xi calls for solid efforts to further development of central region

CHANGSHA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called for solid efforts to further energize the central region at a higher starting point. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while chairing a symposium on furthering the development of the central region in the new era. The symposium was held in Changsha, Central China's Hunan province. Xi delivered an important speech. Xi highlighted the central region's pivotal role as an important base for the country's grain production, energy and raw materials, modern equipment manufacturing and high-tech industry, and a comprehensive transportation hub. Xi called for synergy in promoting high-quality development and writing a new chapter in energizing the central region in the process of advancing Chinese modernization by consistently implementing a series of policies made by the CPC Central Committee in this regard.

Li Qiang, premier, Cai Qi, director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Ding Xuexiang, vice premier, attended the symposium. They are all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

Zheng Shanjie, director of the National Development and Reform Commission, and Tang Dengjie, Han Jun, Yin Hong, Lou Yangsheng, Wang Menghui, and Shen Xiaoming, secretaries of the CPC provincial committees respectively of Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, Henan, Hubei, and Hunan, briefed the symposium on the endeavors to promote the development of the central region, and proposed opinions and suggestions.

Xi delivered an important speech after listening to their briefings. He pointed out that in the past five years since the last symposium on furthering the development of the central region was held, the central region's economy registered a stable growth, drivers of its innovative growth continued to strengthen, and its industrial foundation significantly improved. It made new strides in reform and opening up, and progress in social programs in all respects. Its people's living standards continuously improved, and the pace of green and low-carbon transformation was accelerated. As a result, this region's development is at a higher starting point. Xi noted that there are still many difficulties and challenges to overcome for the region's further development. They need to be seriously studied.

Xi stressed the imperative of innovation in science and technology leading that in industries to proactively cultivate and develop new quality productive forces. With the real economy as the cornerstone, Xi urged efforts to develop an advanced manufacturing sector, actively promote new industrialization, transform and upgrade traditional industries, foster emerging industries, plan ahead for future industries, and quicken pace in building a modern industrial system underpinned by advanced manufacturing. Xi highlighted the need to pay more attention to the deep integration between scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, strengthen efforts to make major technological breakthroughs, and bolster technological support for the innovative development of industries. Xi noted the need to reinforce the principal role of enterprises in innovation, establish innovation consortia with close cooperation between upstream and downstream companies, facilitate collaborative innovation by firms, universities and research institutes, and speed up the pace of translating scientific achievements into real productivity. Xi stressed the need to further promote the major technological transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing sector, as well as the large-scale equipment renewals, so as to make the manufacturing sector higher-end, smarter and greener, and inject dynamism and vitality into traditional industries.

The endeavor for further development of the central region should be better linked with the nation's other major development strategies to help the region better integrate into and support the country's new development paradigm, he said. He noted the importance for the region's development to be aligned with that of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and its growth to integrate and coordinate with the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and ecological conservation and high-quality development in the Yellow River basin. Measures should be taken to support phased trans-regional relocation of industries in an orderly manner and optimize industrial layout. It is imperative to advance the development of a modern transportation infrastructure system to improve the pivotal role of the central region as a central corridor. It is essential to establish and improve regional cooperation mechanisms between provinces to facilitate regional coordinated development. Xi called for efforts to further boost the development of urban clusters along the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and in the central provinces and enhance coordination and connection with urban clusters, so as to further boost the development of surrounding areas.

Xi also urged the need to promote in-depth reform and high-level opening up in a coordinated manner and consistently develop the region into a more competitive inland pacesetter for opening up. He underscored the efforts to advance reforms for the market-based allocation of production factors, refine the systems underpinning the market economy, and comprehensively clear up and rectify local protectionist practices, with a view to promoting reasonable flow and optimal allocation of various production factors across regions and further contribute to the development of a unified national market. It is essential to steadily expand institutional opening up, get deeply integrated into the development of the Belt and Road Initiative, proactively connect with the new Eurasian Land Bridge and the new western land-sea corridor, build pilot free trade zones with high standards, and build more high-standard platforms for opening up and cooperation, which will play a bigger role in connecting domestic and international economic flows. Xi noted the need to strengthen the development of a market-oriented, law-based and internationalized business environment, which should be made more attractive to domestic and foreign factor resources. It is important to unswervingly consolidate and develop the public sector and to encourage, support and guide the development of the non-public sector. State-owned enterprises must be supported to become stronger, better and bigger, and the development environment must be further optimized for private enterprises.

Xi noted the importance of jointly advancing ecological environmental protection and green and low-carbon development, so as to accelerate the building of a beautiful central region. Hard work must be continued to prevent and control pollution, improve the ecological environment of major rivers and lakes in a systematic, comprehensive and coordinated manner, and make up for the deficiency in urban sewage collection and treatment facilities. It is imperative to promote the green and low-carbon transformation of industrial, energy and transport structures, accelerate the cultivation and expansion of green and low-carbon industries, and strengthen the conservation, intensive use and recycling of resources. Efforts should be made to optimize the compensation mechanism for horizontal ecological protection in river basins and the mechanism for realizing the value of ecological products, and advance the process of making industries ecologically friendly and developing ecological conservation industries.

Xi stressed the necessity of pursuing integrated development of urban and rural areas and taking solid steps to promote rural revitalization across the board. It is imperative to promote new urbanization with focus on county seats, ensure a balanced allocation of public resources and free flow of production factors between urban and rural areas, and extend urban infrastructure and public services to rural areas. Rural infrastructure should be further improved, and efforts are required to improve living environment in rural areas, advance agricultural operation of appropriate scale, and promote the integrated development of the first, second and tertiary industries. Rural reform should be further strengthened, and supportive policies to boost agriculture, benefit farmers and boost local economies should be improved, so as to fully unleash impetus for the development of agriculture and rural areas. Greater efforts are required to boost county economies to create new growth drivers. Greater importance should be attached to the revitalization and development of old revolutionary base areas and underdeveloped counties, towns and districts. It is essential to make up for the deficiencies of public services, foster and strengthen rural industries with local features, and strengthen the endogenous driving force for development. Monitoring and assistance mechanisms should be optimized to prevent those lifted out of poverty from falling back to poverty, and see that no large number of people become poverty-stricken again. Greater efforts are needed to revitalize rural culture and facilitate the transformation of outdated rural customs. It is also imperative to optimize the community-level governance system led by Party organizations that combines self-governance, the rule of law and the rule of virtue, apply and further develop the "Fengqiao model" for promoting community-level governance in the new era, and consistently combat and root out organized crime to create a healthy social atmosphere.

Xi noted the importance of mutual support between high-quality development and high-level security, and improving the capability to ensure the security of food, energy and resources. He called for endeavors for high-quality development of functional areas for grain production, protected areas for the production of important agricultural products, and areas for producing local specialty agricultural products. He emphasized the necessity of developing a number of bases for producing, processing, and supplying green agricultural products. In this way, the stable and safe supply of important agricultural products such as grain can be secured. Xi urged efforts to upgrade the level of exploring and utilizing resources such as coal and rare earth, strengthen the security role of fossil energy such as coal, and speed up the development of new-energy systems. Importance should be attached to the mutual complementation and full integration of traditional energy and new energy.

Last but not least, Xi stressed that the Central Leading Group for Coordinated Regional Development must strengthen the overall coordination, supervision, and guidance in this regard. Relevant departments in the central government must step up their support and put forth policies and measures through studies for promoting the development of the central region in the new era. Local Party committees and governments must shoulder primary responsibilities, resolutely implement the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee, and promote the implementation of key tasks and major reforms. What has been achieved in the theoretical study program should be consolidated and efforts should be made to train high-caliber and professional officials who are loyal to the Party, have moral integrity and demonstrate a keen sense of responsibility, establish and optimize systems for evaluation and motivation, and motivate officials to boldly break new ground and take on responsibilities.

In his speech, Premier Li Qiang said it is imperative to conscientiously study and understand as well as put into practice the gist of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech. The growth of the central region should be given due thought in light of its role in the large picture of national development and in supporting the fostering of a new development paradigm, striving to turn its geographical and resource strengths into development advantages. The central region is urged to proactively dovetail with development strategies of other regions, actively introduce industrial innovation resources from the eastern region and strengthen its role in leading the development of the western region, thus upgrading its level of opening up. The region should consolidate its strengths and make up for its deficiencies, allowing full play to its strengths and unleashing its potential in promoting new urbanization and low-carbon development. By doing so, it can promote intra-regional cooperation and boost its overall strength and competitiveness.

Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang stated in his speech that we should thoroughly study and implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech, following closely the requirements for high-quality development to constantly make new progress in promoting the development of the central region. Innovation in science and technology should be integrated with that in industries to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces in light of local conditions. Efforts should be made to boost the capability to ensure the security of food, energy and resources, so as to realize the positive interaction between high-quality development and high-level security. It is important to promote the building of a unified national market and high-level opening up and cooperation, and continuously strengthen the endogenous force and vitality of development. Persistent endeavor should be made to protect eco-environment, providing green foundation for high-quality development.

Li Ganjie, He Lifeng, Wu Zhenglong and Mu Hong attended the symposium. Also present were leading officials from central Party and state departments, and leading officials of some local governments and enterprises. ■

Xi calls on political advisors to offer suggestions, build consensus for Chinese modernization

BEIJING, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visited national political advisors from the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang (RCCK), the sector of science and technology, and the sector of environment and resources, who are attending the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), on the afternoon of March 6. Xi participated in their joint group meeting, and listened to their comments and suggestions. He emphasized that political advisors from different political parties, organizations, ethnic groups, sectors, and all walks of life should focus on the major strategic tasks laid out at the 20th CPC National Congress and the arrangements made at the Central Economic Work Conference, conduct in-depth fact-finding missions, actively put forward suggestions on state affairs, and build broad consensus, so as to help advance Chinese modernization.

As International Women's Day, which falls on March 8, is approaching, Xi, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, extended festive greetings and best wishes to female deputies to the National People's Congress, female members of the National Committee of the CPPCC, and female staff members, who are participating in the "two sessions," to women from all ethnic groups and all walks of life in the country, to female compatriots in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions and the Taiwan region, and to Chinese women overseas.

Wang Huning, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, and Cai Qi, director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, joined Xi on the visit and in the discussion. Wang and Cai are both members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

At the joint group meeting, political advisors Xia Xianpeng, Tian Hongqi, Wu Jianping, Zhao Yuliang, Huang Miansong and Hu Songqin talked about how to boost cross-Strait cooperation on industrial and supply chains, how to unswervingly promote the complete reunification of the motherland, how to leverage core internet technologies to bolster the country's strength in cyberspace as well as the country's high-quality development, how to promote the industrial application of scientific and technological innovation and the high-quality development of eco-environmental protection industries, and how to intensify the treatment of new pollutants, among other topics.

Xi listened attentively and delivered an important speech later. He said he enjoyed discussing and exchanging ideas with the political advisors, as well as listening to their opinions and suggestions. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, he extended sincere greetings to political advisors present, their fellow members from the RCCK and those from the sector of science and technology and the sector of environment and resources, and all CPPCC members.

Xi stressed that 2023 was the first year to implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress on all fronts. Adhering to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, the CPC Central Committee united and led the whole Party and Chinese people of all ethnic groups in resolutely shifting the approach to Covid-19 prevention and control, sparing no efforts to promote economic recovery and further growth, and advancing Chinese modernization with determination. As a result, China fulfilled all the main goals for its economic and social development in the past year, taking solid steps in building China into a modern socialist country in all respects. These achievements did not come easily; they were the outcome of collective and persistent endeavors of the Chinese people from all ethnic groups, and also a reflection of the dedication and wisdom of the CPPCC members.

Xi pointed out that in the past year, the RCCK carried out a theoretical study program with the theme of "consolidating foundation by strengthening cohesion and forging soul, marching forward in unity on the new journey." It actively participated in political consultation, and the deliberation and administration of state affairs. It continued to participate in the democratic supervision of ecological and environmental protection along the Yangtze River, and actively promoted cross-Strait economic and cultural exchanges. Those in the scientific and technological sector actively supported and participated in the reform of the scientific and technological system, and devoted themselves to scientific and technological innovation. Those in the environment and resources sector played a positive role in promoting the green transformation of the development mode by giving full play to their professional strengths.

Xi stressed that the RCCK should further identify its positioning, allow full play to its strengths and take the initiative in the work related to Taiwan affairs. He called on the RCCK to better unite all patriotic forces that can be united both at home and abroad, and both within Taiwan and outside, so as to constantly expand the front against "Taiwan independence" and for reunification, and jointly advance China's peaceful reunification. Xi also called for efforts to actively promote exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait in sectors such as science and technology, agriculture, people-to-people contact and the development of young people, and advance integrated development in all fields across the Strait.

Xi noted that political advisors from the sector of science and technology and all the science and technology personnel should further enhance their aspiration to invigorate and build China into a thriving country through science and education. He called on them to shoulder the mission of scientific and technological innovation, strengthen basic research and basic research in applied sciences, achieve breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, and foster new drivers for developing new quality productive forces.

Xi encouraged them to put forward practical suggestions to facilitate the deepening of reform in the scientific and technological system as well as reform of systems and mechanisms for talent development. The suggestions should also help improve the appraisal system and the incentive mechanism for scientific and technological advances, so as to further stimulate the creative potential of all types of talent.

Xi called for new contributions from CPPCC members from the sector of environment and resources to strengthening eco-environmental conservation and supporting high-quality development with high-level protection. He also called for efforts to secure red lines in developing and protecting territorial space, and improve the region-specific system for eco-environmental management, so as to further consolidate the ecological foundation for high-quality development. Xi noted that efforts must be made to fully and accurately implement the guidelines for lawful, targeted, and science-based pollution control, promote green and low-carbon transition in economic and social development, strengthen conservation, efficient utilization and recycling of resources, expand the approach to realizing the value of ecological products, and actively and prudently work toward peaking carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality, so as to foster new growth drivers and new strengths for high-quality development.

Xi pointed out that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the CPPCC's establishment. The CPPCC should carry forward its fine traditions, bear in mind its political responsibilities, strengthen theoretical and political guidance, boost the institutional development of the specialized consultative body, and strengthen self-improvement. CPPCC members should improve themselves and their ability to perform their duties to keep breaking new ground in the work of the CPPCC and the cause of multiparty cooperation in the new era.

Shi Taifeng, Zheng Jianbang, Hu Chunhua, Wang Dongfeng, and He Baoxiang, among others, were present. ■

Xi highlights developing new quality productive forces according to local conditions

BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, took part in the deliberation with his fellow deputies from the delegation of Jiangsu Province to the second session of the 14th National People's Congress on the afternoon of March 5. He emphasized the need to firmly focus on the primary task of high-quality development, and develop new quality productive forces according to local conditions. Facing the latest round of scientific and technological revolutions and industrial transformations, we must seize opportunities and step up efforts to make innovations, he said. We must also cultivate and strengthen emerging industries, arrange the development of industries for the future in advance, and improve the modern industrial system. To develop new quality productive forces doesn't mean ignoring or abandoning traditional industries. The endeavors in this regard should never be in a mad scramble, and bubbles should be prevented. We should also avoid the domination of a single model, he said. Localities should adhere to the principle of proceeding from reality, building the new before discarding the old, taking measures in line with local conditions, and giving differentiated guidance. They must selectively cultivate new industries, business models and growth drivers in the light of their resource endowment, industrial foundation and scientific research conditions, among other factors. They must transform and upgrade traditional industries with new technologies and take rigorous actions to make industries higher-end, smarter, and more environmentally friendly.

The deliberation was carried out in a warm and lively atmosphere within the delegation. Cui Tiejun, Gao Jifan, Song Yan, Wu Huifang, Wu Xinming and Sun Jingnan, six deputies of the delegation, presented on how to achieve great self-reliance and strength in science and technology, promote the high-quality development of the country's photovoltaic industry, strengthen the protection and inheritance of cultural heritage, build happy villages featuring common prosperity, support the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta, and promote craftsmanship. Xi joined their talks from time to time, exchanging opinions with his fellow deputies.

After listening to the deputies' presentations, Xi delivered a speech. He expressed his approval of the government work report, fully acknowledging the new progress and achievements made in Jiangsu's economic and social development. He expressed the hope that Jiangsu will have greater confidence, exert its utmost, and shoulder greater responsibilities to make even more contributions to the nation.

Xi stressed that Jiangsu possesses favorable conditions and capabilities for developing new quality productive forces. He highlighted the importance of building a modern industrial system with advanced manufacturing as the mainstay. It is essential for scientific and technological innovation to play a leading role in coordinating the upgrading of traditional industries, the expansion of emerging industries, and the nurturing of industries for the future. It is imperative to intensify the integration between scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, and reinforce the leading position of traditional industries. It is important to accelerate the building of internationally competitive clusters of strategic emerging industries, and make Jiangsu a major locality for the development of new quality productive forces.

Xi pointed out the necessity of planning major measures to further deepen reform on all fronts, so as to continuously inject strong impetus into the endeavor to promote high-quality development and advance Chinese modernization. To build a high-level socialist market economy, it is imperative to accelerate the improvement of basic systems underpinning the market economy such as those for property rights protection, market access, fair competition, and social credit.

It is essential to improve and implement the institutions and mechanisms to unswervingly consolidate and develop the public sector and unswervingly encourage, support and guide the development of the non-public sector, facilitate the growth of the private sector and private enterprises, and stimulate the endogenous power and innovation vitality of various business entities. Reform of systems involving science and technology, education and professional personnel should be deepened, and barriers obstructing the development of new quality productive forces should be removed. Efforts should be continued to create a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized to foster new strengths for a higher-level open economy.

Xi stressed that since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, a series of coordinated regional development strategies, major regional strategies and functional zoning strategies have been implemented, playing an important supporting role in fostering a new development paradigm and promoting high-quality development. It is imperative for Jiangsu to fully integrate into and contribute to the development of the Yangtze Economic Belt and the strategy for integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta, and strengthen its alignment with the development strategies of other regions and major regional strategies to build interconnected innovation, industrial and supply chains in a broader range of areas, so that Jiangsu can better leverage its strength as a major economically developed province to drive the development of the whole region and the whole country.

Xi pointed out that efforts must be made to sustain and reinforce the positive momentum of economic recovery, and boost confidence in development across society. Party officials should be among the first to have greater confidence and take concrete and effective actions. To consolidate and expand what has been achieved in theoretical study programs, efforts must be made to establish a long-term mechanism, resolutely rectify pointless formalities and bureaucratism, effectively reduce the burden on the grassroots, spark the creativity of the entire Party and society, and boost Party officials' enterprising spirit in their work. The people-centered development philosophy should be upheld, and the people's well-being should be steadily improved in the course of pursuing development, so as to guide and encourage the broad masses to create a happy life with their own hands.

Lastly, Xi stressed that it is important to ensure workplace safety by further improving the work to detect safety hazards, strengthening early warning and monitoring, and implementing emergency measures to ensure the safety of people's lives and property.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, participated in the deliberation.

Mu Hong and Jiang Xinzhi, among others, were present. ■

Xi stresses high-quality development of new energy, greater contributions to building clean, beautiful world

BEIJING, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held the 12th group study session on new energy technology and China's energy security on the afternoon of Feb. 29. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, while presiding over the session, stressed that energy security bears heavily on the overall economic and social development. To respond to global climate change, the international community has reached the consensus to actively develop clean energy and promote the green and low-carbon transition in economic and social development. We should follow this general trend, seize the opportunities, and intensify efforts to promote high-quality development of new energy in China. In this way, we will secure safe and reliable energy supply for advancing Chinese modernization, and make greater contributions to the building of a clean and beautiful world.

Professor Liu Jizhen, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering and director of the State Key Laboratory of Alternate Electrical Power System with Renewable Energy Sources, gave a lecture on the topic and offered his advice on the related work. Members of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau listened attentively and had a discussion.

Xi delivered an important address following the lecture and discussion sessions. He said that China has stepped up its efforts to establish a new type of energy system since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, which has continuously consolidated the foundation for energy security and provided strong support for the country's economic and social development. At the same time, it should be noted that China still faces challenges in the development of energy resources, including high pressure from energy demand, multiple constraints on energy supply as well as the arduous tasks posed by the imperative of achieving a green and low-carbon transition. The solution is to vigorously promote the development of new energy resources.

Xi stressed that China is abundant in resources such as wind power and photovoltaics, and has tremendous potential for developing new energy. Through continuous efforts and the accumulation of experience, China's new energy technologies and equipment manufacturing have led the world. China has built the world's largest environmentally clean power supply system. New-energy vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products are highly competitive in the international market. China has established a solid foundation for developing new energy resources, playing a significant part in driving the global energy transformation and responding to climate change.

Xi noted the need to ensure both the development of new energy and national energy security, adhere to the principle of making plans first, strengthening the top-level design, and doing a good job in overall consideration for coordinated development of the energy sector. It is imperative to properly handle the relationship between new energy and traditional energy, overall and local interests, government and market, energy development and its conservation and utilization, so as to promote the high-quality development of new energy.

Xi stressed that it is imperative to set sights on the global frontiers of energy science and technology and focus on the key fields and major needs in the sector. It is essential to choose the right path for technological innovation, leverage the strength of the new system for mobilizing resources nationwide in a joint effort to achieve breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, and strengthen the application of scientific research outcomes, so as to develop energy technology and its related industries into a new growth driver to boost the upgrading of China's industries and promote the development of new productive forces.

Xi pointed out that it is imperative to respond to the needs of energy transition by building a robust infrastructure network for new energy. This includes advancing the intelligent transformation of power grid infrastructure and the construction of smart microgrids, so as to boost the grid's capability to integrate, distribute and regulate clean energy. It is also important to accelerate the building of a charging infrastructure network to support the rapid development of new energy vehicles.

Xi stressed the need to deepen international cooperation in the innovation in new energy technology. The cooperation along the new energy industrial chain should be advanced in an orderly manner to establish a new model of win-win cooperation for green and low-carbon energy transition. It is essential to get deeply involved in the transformation of international energy governance and promote the establishment of a global energy governance system that is fair, just, balanced and inclusive.

Lastly, Xi emphasized that achieving self-reliance and strength in science and technology requires not only grasping the general direction of current sci-tech development, but also giving prominence to our own imperatives, taking problem- and demand-oriented approaches, and thus promoting the efficiency and effectiveness of input in scientific and technological innovation. ■

Xi urges young officials to take on historical task on new journey

BEIJING, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The Party School of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee (National Academy of Governance) held an opening ceremony on the morning of March 1 for the training program for young and middle-aged officials for the spring semester of 2024. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, gave important instructions. He emphasized that young officials are a new force in the development of the Party's and the country's cause, and successors to the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. On the new journey, young officials, with heavy responsibilities on their shoulders and great accomplishments to make, must keep firmly in mind the Party's original aspiration and mission, strive hard to make progress and do a good job in taking on their historical mission.

Xi stressed that they should consciously and firmly believe in, and implement the Party's new theories, and keep enhancing cohesion and forging their souls with the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Xi urged them to keep strengthening and cementing their faith and ideal, have a strong political standing, and effectively improve their understanding of the Marxist theory and their ability to apply it.

It is imperative for young officials to be conscious role models in practicing loyalty and honesty toward the Party, take a clear-cut stance in maintaining political integrity, and greatly improve their capacities for political judgment, thinking, and implementation. They should strictly abide by the Party's political discipline and rules, speak their minds, do solid work, be honest, and always keep aligned with the CPC Central Committee. They should also commit themselves to selfless dedication, striving to bring more benefits to the people. This requires them to put the people in the paramount position and cultivate a correct understanding of what it means to perform well. They should carry out the Party's mass line for the new era, improve their capacities for working with the people, and put their hearts and souls into addressing the pressing concerns of the people, so as to constantly increase people's sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security.

They are required to work hard and be courageous enough to shoulder responsibilities and perform their duties. They should carry out reform and innovation with determination, and have the courage and ability to carry out struggle. They should be willing and ready to take on the heaviest burdens, confront the toughest challenges, and handle the most difficult tasks, constantly opening new ground in their work by facing and solving problems head-on. They should act as strong promoters of establishing a sound political environment, and carry out thorough self-reform. They should remain frugal and humble. It is essential for them to firmly oppose pointless formalities, bureaucratism, and privilege-seeking mindsets and practices, so as to forever maintain the political integrity of uprightness and honesty as they should as members of the CPC.

Xi made it a requirement for Party organizations at all levels to work with a strong sense of political responsibility and historical mission, doing a good job in the fundamental work of cultivating more qualified successors to carry forward the cause of the Party and the country. They should optimize the mechanism of training and selecting excellent young officials on a regular basis, strictly educate, manage and supervise young officials, and continuously train and bring up reliable successors capable of taking on the great task of building China into a strong country and realizing national rejuvenation.

Xi's important instructions were conveyed at the opening ceremony. Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.

Cai noted in his speech that General Secretary Xi's important instructions are profound and insightful and of great political, ideological, guiding and pertinent significance. They should serve to mobilize and motivate young officials to embark on a new journey and make achievements in the new era. They should function as a handbook for their healthy growth, and serve as a sound guide to ensure a good job in work related to young officials. The instructions therefore must be conscientiously studied and resolutely implemented.

Cai put forward hopes and requirements for young officials. They are as follows: strengthen theoretical study and have a good command of abilities to put theories into practice, thoroughly study and have an in-depth understanding of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as what is the most fundamental and crucial, have a good command of its scientific system, core essence and practical requirements, and turn what they have learned into what they do in performing their duties and promoting the cause of the Party and the country.

It is a must to remain loyal and honest to the Party, lay a solid political foundation, forever uphold the Party's guideline, follow the Party's will and stay committed to the Party's mission. Young officials must gain a deep understanding of the decisive significance of establishing Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and establishing the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, uphold Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and uphold the Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership. They must have firm ideals and convictions, raise organizational awareness, be honest and aboveboard, and match their deeds to their words. It is important for them to foster a sincere care for and strive for the well-being of the people, stand firmly with the people, and maintain a people-centered mindset, so as to regard working for the people's well-being as the most crucial aspect of their job performance and immerse themselves in practical work to address the issues that are important to people's livelihoods. They must make efforts to actively fulfill their duties, act with a sense of responsibility, apply a realistic and pragmatic approach and make solid progress, be determined to carry out reforms and overcome difficulties, have the courage to respond to various challenges and prevent risks, and take effective measures to address real issues.

It is imperative for them to strictly observe the Party's discipline and rules, always be honest and clean, always be highly conscious of the importance to abide by the Party's rules and the country's laws, and keep the consciousness of self-examination, be prudent as if treading on thin ice and subject themselves to strict Party supervision and discipline, so as to jointly cultivate a wholesome political atmosphere of integrity. They are required to keep in mind what the Party and the people expect of them, bear the mission of the times in mind and on shoulders, and dedicate themselves to the Party, the nation and the people, so as to contribute to the great endeavor of building China into a strong country and realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization.

Li Ganjie presided over the opening ceremony. Jiang Xinzhi and Chen Xi were present.

Trainees of the 2024 spring training program for young and middle-aged officials at the Party School participated in the opening ceremony, and leading officials from relevant central Party departments sat in on it. ■

Xi writes preface to reading materials for training of officials

BEIJING, Feb. 29 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, wrote a preface to the sixth batch of reading materials for the training of officials across the country, which will soon be published. He emphasized that Chinese modernization is a sure path for building China into a strong country and realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and advancing it will help blaze a new trail for modernization of humanity, and create a new form of human advancement. It is both an honorable historic mission and a serious test for the Party, which urgently needs to equip itself with theories to promote its solidarity and the development of its cause.

Xi noted that only a robust theoretical footing can lead to clear direction, remarkable cohesiveness and strong confidence. It is imperative for trainee officials to consolidate the gains made in the theoretical study program, keep enhancing cohesion and forging souls with the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, have a good command of fundamental Marxist theories, and ensure their alignment in political standing and action through a high degree of unity in thinking, so as to comprehensively improve their political competence, leadership and working skills for advancing Chinese modernization. It is imperative to draw inspiration for forging ahead with enterprise and resolve from the Party's new theories, reinforce confidence in history and honing the ability to carry out struggle. On the new journey, it is essential to forge ahead with determination and have courage to tackle challenges, and make new achievements in the new era.

Xi stressed that it is useless to only talk about theories without putting them into practice. The relevance of learning the Party's new theories lies in applying them to practical work. Officials at all levels should carry forward the Marxist style of study that combines theory with practice, consciously master and apply the powerful ideological weapon of the Party's new theories. It is imperative to focus on the central task of building China into a strong country and realizing national rejuvenation through a Chinese path to modernization, and continue to solve problems that hinder high-quality development, problems that the people are most concerned about, and prominent problems in Party building. It is essential to effectively guard against and defuse major risks, and work creatively to turn the grand blueprint outlined at the 20th CPC National Congress into a beautiful reality.

Xi noted that in the new era, the innovation in Party's theories and practical work has been vivid, and so should be our study. These reading materials reflect the achievements of the innovation in the new era and represent our Party's vivid practices to advance and expand Chinese modernization. Officials at all levels should do a good job in studying the reading materials and putting them into practice, and take concrete action and do solid work in advancing Chinese modernization.

The sixth batch of reading materials for the training of officials across the country was compiled under the organization of the Steering Committee for National Officials Training Materials Compilation and Review. There are altogether nine books, including four theoretical textbooks: Deep Understanding of the Decisive Significance of "Two Upholds," The Worldview and Methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Advancing the Great New Project of Party Building in the New Era, and Advancing and Expanding Chinese Modernization. Additionally, there are five Case Study Volumes on Advancing and Expanding Chinese Modernization, covering a wide range of subjects: economy; education, science and technology, and talent; politics and rule of law; culture and society; and ecological civilization and national security. These materials will be published by the People's Publishing House and the Party Building Books Publishing House. ■

Senior Party officials submit written reports on their work to CPC Central Committee and Xi

BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- According to the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee's regulations, every year, members of the Political Bureau and the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, members of the leading Party members groups of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the State Council and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and secretaries of the leading Party members groups of the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate should submit written reports on their work to the CPC Central Committee and its General Secretary Xi Jinping. Following the regulations, these officials have recently submitted their reports to the CPC Central Committee and Xi.

Xi carefully reviewed the work reports and put forth important requirements, emphasizing that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and is a crucial year for the country to fulfill the goals and tasks it set out in its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25).

It is essential to fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the second plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, said Xi.

Xi urged them to consciously maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership, to bolster confidence in the path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, uphold the core position of the General Secretary on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and uphold the Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership.

It is also important for them to take the lead in consolidating and expanding the gains in the Party-wide education campaign on the study and implementation of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and ensure the effective implementation of the decisions, plans and tasks formulated by the CPC Central Committee in order to advance Chinese modernization, Xi added.

Xi stressed the need to follow the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, and implement the requirements of pursuing progress amidst stability, promoting stability through progress, and establishing the new before casting off the old. It is essential to faithfully implement the new development philosophy on all fronts, further deepen reforms comprehensively, consolidate the positive trend of economic recovery, and continuously improve people's wellbeing.

Xi said that it is a must to establish a view of performance that benefits the people. They must set an example in implementing the Party's mass line in the new era, and rectifying the entrenched malfeasance of pointless formalities and bureaucratism, with a view to effectively alleviating the burdens at the grassroots level and advancing work by improving conduct, he added.

Xi urged them to maintain the spirit of self-reform, set an example in honesty and self-discipline, and fulfill their responsibilities of exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance. Xi required them to act on their own principal responsibilities, strengthen their political responsibility, pay more attention to key areas and grasp key issues, forge ahead with determination, do solid work, further concentrate the Party's and the country's endeavors on advancing Chinese modernization, and work together to build China into a strong country and achieve national rejuvenation. ■

Xi stresses promoting equipment renewal, trade-in of consumer goods, lowering logistics costs

BEIJING, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, chairman of the Central Military Commission and director of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs (CCFEA), presided over the fourth meeting of the CCFEA on the afternoon of Feb. 23. The meeting was held to discuss issues of large-scale equipment renewal and trade-in of consumer goods, as well as the issue of effectively lowering logistics costs in the whole society. Xi made an important speech, stressing that speeding up product upgrading is an important measure for promoting high-quality development, and that efforts should be made to encourage and guide a new round of large-scale equipment renewal and trade-in of consumer goods. Logistics serves as "arteries and veins" of the real economy, linking production and consumption as well as domestic and foreign trade. It is essential to effectively lower logistics costs in the entire society, boost the core competitiveness of industries, and improve the efficiency of the economy.

Present at the meeting were Li Qiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese premier and deputy director of the CCFEA, Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, a member of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat and a member of the CCFEA, and Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese vice premier and a member of the CCFEA.

The meeting heard reports from the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology concerning large-scale equipment renewal and trade-in of consumer goods. It also heard reports from the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Transport, and the Ministry of Commerce on lowering logistics costs in the whole society. Written reports were submitted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the State Administration for Market Regulation, and China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.

It was stressed at the meeting that large-scale equipment renewal and trade-in of old consumer goods will effectively boost investment and consumption, benefiting economic and social development not only for the time being but also in the long run. A combination of policies should be employed to ensure that the proportion of advanced production capacity continues to increase, that more high-quality durable consumer goods enter people's lives, that waste resources are recycled, and that the quality and level of national economic flows are significantly improved. It is essential to uphold the principle that market plays the principal role and government provides guidance. The advanced must be encouraged while the backward eliminated, and standards must be abided by to regulate the development of industries, whose upgrading should be promoted in an orderly manner.

It was noted at the meeting that it is necessary to promote the upgrading and technological innovation of various production equipment and service equipment, encourage the trade-in of traditional consumer goods such as automobiles and home appliances, and promote that of durable consumer goods. Large-scale recycling should be promoted, and efforts should be made to boost the development of a new logistics system that combines trade-in and recycling. As far as trade-in of consumer goods is concerned, the central financial authorities should coordinate with local governments, and support all links in a coordinated manner, so that consumers will get more benefits.

It was stressed at the meeting that reducing logistics costs is an important measure to improve the efficiency of the economy. The fundamental purpose of reducing logistic costs is to serve the real economy and the people, the basic prerequisite is to keep the share of manufacturing in the economy largely stable, and the main pathway is to promote structural adjustments, carry out reform, and effectively lower the costs of transportation, storage and management. It is imperative to optimize the transportation structure by enhancing the shift in the transportation of bulk goods and medium and long-distance freight from highways to railways and waterways, and deepening the comprehensive transportation system reform, so as to develop a unified, highly-efficient, competitive and orderly logistics market. Major transportation routes and corridors should also be optimized to unclog bottlenecks and improve the modern commercial distribution system. In addition, it is important to encourage the development of new logistics models integrated with the platform economy, low-altitude economy and unmanned driving, etc. It is essential to make coordinated planning of logistics hubs, optimize the construction of transportation infrastructure and the layout of major productive forces, and boost economic activities associated with airports and ports.

Members of the CCFEA attended the meeting, and leading officials of central Party and state departments sat in on the meeting. ■

Xi delivers speech at Spring Festival reception, extending festive greetings to all Chinese

BEIJING, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council held the Spring Festival reception for the year of 2024 at the Great Hall of the People on the morning of Feb. 8.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered a speech. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, Xi extended Spring Festival greetings to the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan, as well as overseas Chinese.

Xi emphasized that the outgoing Year of the Rabbit was the first year to implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress on all fronts. Faced with an extraordinarily complex international environment and arduous tasks in promoting reform and development, and maintaining stability, we rallied the will and strength of our people behind the quest for Chinese modernization, coordinated both domestic and international imperatives, worked hard and tenaciously, and forged ahead with fortitude, said Xi. We overcame a multitude of difficulties and challenges and made solid strides on the new journey to build China into a modern socialist country in all respects, he noted.

Li Qiang presided over the gathering. Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng, among other leaders, attended the event.

In the Great Hall of the People, the banquet hall was brightly lit and radiant with festive cheer. People from all walks of life gathered to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival. The air was joyous, auspicious and harmonious.

At around 10 a.m., Xi and other Party and state leaders entered the hall to lively music. They waved to the crowd and exchanged greetings and holiday wishes with them. The hall erupted into rapturous applause.

In his speech, Xi noted that over the past year, we implemented the new development philosophy on all fronts, adhered to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, decisively downgraded the level of COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control, and promoted the recovery and development of the economy. The total economic output exceeded 126 trillion yuan and the grain output set a new record high, with employment and price levels remaining generally stable. China presented itself as a standout in the global context. New breakthroughs were made in scientific and technological innovation, new productive forces took shape rapidly, reform and opening up were deepened continuously, a new round of reform of the Party and state institutions was completed basically, the ecological environment was improved, and the modernization of national defense and armed forces witnessed great strides. We hosted Universiade in Chengdu and the Asian Games in Hangzhou, seeing Chinese athletes delivering outstanding performances. We made significant advances in exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance and fighting against corruption, constantly consolidating a healthy political environment.

We put the people first, worked hard to ensure and improve their well-being, continued to consolidate and expand the achievements made in poverty alleviation, worked hard to address the difficulties and problems that concerned people the most, made all-out efforts to respond to natural disasters and promote post-disaster recovery and reconstruction, and maintained overall social stability. We actively supported Hong Kong and Macao in better integrating into China's overall development, firmly opposed separatist moves for "Taiwan independence" and interference by external forces, and vigorously safeguarded China's sovereignty, security, and development interests. We made solid progress in major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, adding certainty and positive energy to a world of change and disorder, and demonstrating our sense of responsibility for building a community with a shared future for mankind, he added.

Xi stressed that looking back at the hard work in the past year, we have gained a deeper understanding that promoting the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through a Chinese path to modernization is not only a bright road for the Chinese people to pursue a better and happier life, but also a just one to promote world peace and development. As long as we do not deviate from the path we follow, remain committed to our original aspirations, and are of a single mind in making consistent endeavors, we are bound to overcome all difficulties and obstacles on the road ahead and achieve success.

Xi noted that 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and is a critical year for achieving the goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan. It is imperative to adhere to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, and materialize the requirements of seeking progress while maintaining stability, promoting stability through progress and establishing the new before discarding the old. Solid efforts are also required to faithfully apply the new development philosophy on all fronts, secure both high-quality development and high-level security, give prominence to key areas, grasp key points, and forge ahead and work hard, so as to boost economic vitality, prevent and mitigate risks, improve social expectations, consolidate and promote the momentum of economic recovery, further improve people's well-being, and ensure overall social harmony and stability.

Xi stressed that it is imperative to further deepen reform across the board, work hard to overcome deep-seated institutional barriers and structural problems, and fully unlock potential for entrepreneurship and creativity among all members of society, so as to inject great vigor into Chinese modernization, which will help it surmount all difficulties and forge ahead with indomitable will.

Xi pointed out that as the totem of the Chinese nation, dragon is deemed strong, fearless, benevolent and powerful, and it not only embodies the Chinese nation's spirit of ceaselessly pursuing self-improvement, hard work and enterprise for 5,000 years, but also encapsulates the determination and aspiration of hundreds of millions of Chinese people to build China into a strong country and realize national rejuvenation. In the upcoming Year of the Dragon, we hope that people across the country embrace a spirit of vitality and determination as represented by dragon. With great momentum and ambition, we will explore new ground with hard work and dedication, collectively writing a new chapter in advancing Chinese modernization.

Art workers gave a wonderful performance at the gathering.

Leading officials and retired senior officials of the CPC Central Committee, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the State Council, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, as well as the Central Military Commission attended the gathering.

The gathering was also attended by leading officials of central Party and state departments, and the military and people's organizations, as well as leading officials of the Beijing municipal government. Also present were leading officials of the non-CPC political parties' central committees and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, representatives of personages without party affiliation, representatives of retired veterans and officials, renowned experts and scholars, and representatives from all walks of life in Beijing. ■

Xi takes part in Spring Festival gathering with non-CPC members

BEIJING, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- As the Spring Festival of the Year of the Dragon is just around the corner, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, took part in a gathering with leading officials of the non-CPC political parties' central committees and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) and representatives of personages without party affiliation at the Great Hall of the People on the afternoon of Feb. 7 to greet the upcoming festival. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi extended festive greetings and best wishes to people from the non-CPC political parties and the ACFIC, personages without party affiliation, and other members of the united front.

The gathering was also attended by Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Cai Qi, director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Ding Xuexiang, vice premier of the State Council. They are all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

Those attending the gathering on invitation included Zheng Jianbang, chairman of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, Ding Zhongli, chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, Hao Mingjin, chairman of the Central Committee of the China National Democratic Construction Association, Cai Dafeng, chairman of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy, He Wei, chairman of the Central Committee of the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, Jiang Zuojun, chairman of the Central Committee of the China Zhi Gong Party, Wu Weihua, chairman of the Central Committee of the Jiusan Society, Su Hui, chairwoman of the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, Gao Yunlong, chairman of the ACFIC, and Tao Zhi, a representative of personages without party affiliation.

Ho Hau Wah and Leung Chun-ying, vice chairpersons of the CPPCC National Committee, former chairpersons of the central committees of the non-CPC political parties and of the ACFIC, and first vice-chairpersons and executive vice-chairpersons of the central committees of the non-CPC political parties and of the ACFIC, who have retired from the leadership, were also invited to attend the gathering.

Hao spoke on behalf of central committees of the non-CPC political parties, the ACFIC and prominent figures without party affiliation. He said that over the past year 2023, in the face of a grave and complicated situation along with multiple difficulties and challenges, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core coordinated national imperatives with a broad and long-term vision, united and led the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in meeting obstacles and difficulties head-on, working hard despite pressure, and forging ahead with enterprise and fortitude. As a result, the country has made solid progress in advancing Chinese modernization. China of the new era is renewing itself day by day, drawing ever closer to its great dream. In the new year, they should rally more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. With shared conviction and concerted efforts, they should make new and greater contributions to the building of a strong country and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

After listening to Hao's speech, Xi gave an important address. He noted that 2023 was an extraordinary year. Throughout the year, the CPC Central Committee united and led the whole Party and Chinese people of all ethnic groups in implementing the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress on all fronts. Adhering to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, we faced external pressures head-on, overcame internal difficulties, and vigorously advanced the recovery and development of the economy. We realized our expected goals for economic and social development, ensuring a smooth start and making numerous achievements. We addressed challenges with targeted solutions, firmly promoting high-quality development and facilitating the overall recovery and the positive trend of our country's economy. The total economic output for the year exceeded 126 trillion yuan, with employment and price levels remaining generally stable. We accelerated the improvement of the new system for mobilizing resources nationwide, made new breakthroughs in scientific and technological innovation, and promoted the development of new productive forces. China successfully hosted the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and the China-Central Asia Summit, and promoted the membership expansion of BRICS. Major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics has increasingly demonstrated its strong influence, appeal and shaping power. We effectively responded to a series of major natural disasters such as the floods in North and Northeast China and the earthquakes in Gansu, Qinghai and Xinjiang. We successfully hosted the Universiade in Chengdu and the Asian Games in Hangzhou, and Chinese athletes achieved good results. These achievements are the result of the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China and the hard work and joint efforts of all sectors, including the non-CPC political parties, the ACFIC, and personages without party affiliation.

Xi noted that the other political parties and personages without party affiliation, over the past year, thoroughly studied and implemented the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, and carried out the study program of "Enhancing Cohesion and Forging the Party's Soul to Strive in Solidarity on Our New Journey" in a solid manner. They grasped the opportunities from marking the 75th anniversary of the issue of "May 1 Slogans" by the CPC Central Committee, deepened the political transition, and constantly consolidated the ideological and political consensus of multiparty cooperation. He added that they remained committed to focusing on the central task and serving the big picture, and put forward suggestions and proposals on the major and challenging issues in the process of advancing Chinese modernization, having thus contributed to the economic and social development. The ACFIC was proactive in cooperating with relevant departments and local authorities to implement the policies for facilitating the high-quality development of the private sector, and has done a lot of work in facilitating the healthy development of the non-public sector and those working in it. He expressed heartfelt thanks to them all on behalf of the CPC Central Committee.

Xi stressed that 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and is a critical year for fulfilling the goals and tasks in the 14th Five-Year Plan. It is important to act on the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, maintain stability through progress and build the new before discarding the old. We will consolidate and strengthen the momentum of rebound and improvement of the economy, continuously pursue higher-quality growth and appropriately increase economic output, and make solid progress in advancing Chinese modernization. All other political parties, the ACFIC and personages without party affiliation should fully understand the CPC Central Committee's decisions and plans, make greater efforts in conducting fact-finding missions, consultation, deliberation and democratic oversight, and improve themselves, so as to contribute wisdom and endeavor to advancing Chinese modernization.

Xi put forward three hopes for the other political parties, the ACFIC and personages without party affiliation. First, they should maintain firm confidence in China's political system to uphold, develop and improve China's new type of political party system. They should improve the quality of consultations among political parties, and strengthen deliberation mechanisms as well as those of offering advice to the government. Democratic oversight should be conducted in an orderly way, and the platforms for giving play to their strengths should be expanded in order to improve the effectiveness of China's new type of political party system.

Second, they should build a broad consensus to advance Chinese modernization. They should continue conducting in-depth fact-finding missions concerning the major strategic tasks proposed at the 20th CPC National Congress and the arrangements made at the Central Economic Work Conference to offer more targeted suggestions and advice. The ACFIC should guide private entrepreneurs to consolidate their confidence in development and collectively advocate for the bright future of China's economy. Third, political guidance should be strengthened to continuously achieve a higher level of self-development. The primary task is to strengthen the building of ideological and political awareness, follow the correct political direction, and solidify the ideological and political foundation of the CPC leadership. It is imperative to improve their conduct, build their leadership teams, consolidate their organizations, and effectively improve the way of thinking and working so as to steadily improve their capability and level of performance.

After the gathering, Xi and other Party and state leaders posed for a group photo with former and incumbent leading officials of the other political parties' central committees and the ACFIC, and representatives of personages without party affiliation.

Leading officials from relevant central Party departments attended the gathering. ■

Xi pays visit to grassroots officials and residents in Tianjin ahead of Spring Festival

BEIJING, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping visited primary-level officials and residents in Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, extended Chinese New Year greetings to the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese. Xi wished the Chinese people both at home and abroad good health, a happy family and good luck in the Year of the Dragon, and wished the motherland peace and prosperity.

From Feb. 1 to 2, Xi, accompanied by Chen Min'er, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee, and Zhang Gong, mayor of Tianjin, inspected a village, a historic and cultural block and a revolutionary memorial museum, and brought the CPC Central Committee's care and best wishes to local officials and residents.

On the morning of Feb. 1, Xi arrived at Diliubu Village in Xinkou Township, Xiqing District as soon as he got off the train. In late July and early August last year, extremely heavy rain in north China caused floods in the Haihe River Basin that inundated much of the Dongdian flood storage and detention area in Tianjin. Xi was briefed on the damages the flood had caused to Tianjin as a whole and to Xiqing District. He walked into a greenhouse to check out the growth of vegetables, and asked farmers in detail about how their greenhouses were restored, vegetables were replanted, and about the sales of their vegetables. He gave local people credit for their rapid response, self-reliance and self-motivation, as they proactively organized production to help themselves and seized the time to grow vegetables in as many fields as possible when the flood had ever subsided. He thanked them for their hard work in adding more vegetable choices to urban residents.

Xi walked into the house of Du Honggang, a villager with four generations of his family living under one roof. Xi sat down with the family to learn about their life and calculated the financial losses the family had suffered from the flood and their revenue from post-flood production and the additional income from employment. Du told the general secretary that the family's more than 10 mu (about 0.67 hectares) of corn fields and vegetable patches were damaged by the flood, but with the help of the Party and the government, they were able to recover quickly, and their vegetable greenhouses, in particular, were swiftly repaired, allowing them to have a good harvest of vegetables in season. With the Spring Festival around the corner, the family has stocked up a satisfactory variety of festive items, and thanks to a series of cultural events arranged by the village, people are all in a cheerful mood. Quoting a Chinese idiom about national prosperity and social harmony, Xi noted that a country is prosperous only when its people live in peace, saying that the CPC Central Committee as well as Party committees and governments at all levels are concerned about everyone's safety and well-being at all times. He also expressed the hope for villagers to rebuild their homes and create a happy life with their own hands.

When the general secretary was ready to leave, villagers gathered closer to greet him. Xi waved to the crowd over and over again and said in an amiable tone that he was delighted to see that their production and life have mostly recovered, and they have a warm home through the winter.

"Since last year, other regions in our country have also been hit by natural disasters such as floods, typhoons, earthquakes, landslides, snow and ice storms. I have been concerned about them all," Xi said. Party committees and governments at all levels put the people first, and officials along with the general public united as one, and thus achieved major triumphs in their fight against the disasters, he said. "The Spring Festival is approaching, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, I would like to give best wishes to those people who were affected by the disasters, and to all the officials and those who have been working at the front for post-disaster recovery and reconstruction," Xi added. Party committees and governments at all levels must do an even better job in making meticulous arrangements for people's life and work in the disaster-affected areas, Xi said.

In the afternoon, Xi arrived at Tianjin's Ancient Culture Street. Walking along the street that has an air of antiquity, he stepped into several unique shops such as Guifaxiang 18th Street Mahua, Nut Products Zhang, Clay Figurine Zhang, and Yangliuqing New Year Painting, asking about categories and sales of their products, and the inheritance and development of traditional cultural heritages. He also talked with shop owners, employees, and residents around. He stressed that Party committees and governments at all levels must secure the production, distribution, and supply of essential consumer goods, ensuring that they are in abundance, great diversity, and sound quality. Then residents can be at ease to consume, and have a happy Spring Festival. Xi pointed out that Chinese modernization cannot be achieved without the inheritance and promotion of fine traditional culture, and Tianjin is a city with distinct characteristics and charm. It is necessary to protect and make good use of historical and cultural blocks so that they can add to the beauty of this modern metropolis.

On the streets, drums and music were clanging, dragon dance and lion dance performances were lively. People cheered enthusiastically when they saw the general secretary coming. Xi walked closer to everyone and extended New Year greetings to the people of Tianjin and the people of all ethnic groups in China. Xi said that seeing local residents and tourists beaming when they enjoyed traditional folk performances, he felt the thick flavor of the New Year. Noticing the coming lunar year is the Year of the Dragon, Xi said that in Chinese culture, the dragon has multiple connotations, such as courage and endeavor, infinite vitality, good luck, etc., and carries people's good wishes for and visions of the future. He said that everyone should have confidence in the coming year and live a better life. During the Spring Festival, local governments may organize more cultural activities that are popular with the people, so as to make the festival more festive and cheerful.

On the morning of Feb. 2, Xi visited the Peking-Tianjin Campaign Memorial Museum. From time to time, he stopped to look at the exhibits and communicated with everyone, stressing that the history of Chinese revolutionary war should be studied. He said that we should cherish what have been hard won, carry forward the revolutionary tradition, strengthen the spirit of struggle, and have the courage to overcome all kinds of difficulties and obstacles on the road ahead.

On the afternoon of Feb. 2, Xi was briefed on the work of the CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee and the Tianjin municipal government, and affirmed the achievements the city has made in various aspects of its work. He expressed the hope that Tianjin, under the strategic guidance of the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, focuses on economic development as the central task and high-quality development as the primary mission, actively forges ahead to build itself into a socialist and modern metropolis and writes its own chapter in advancing Chinese modernization.

Xi noted that Tianjin, as an advanced manufacturing, research and development base, should give full play to its advantages such as its rich scientific and educational resources, and strive to take the lead in developing new productive forces. He called on the city to attach equal importance to scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, strengthen the building of parks for sci-tech innovation, further integrate the digital economy with the real economy, and promote the high-end, smart and green development of its manufacturing sector. He also called on Tianjin to strengthen its coordination with Beijing on sci-tech innovation and the integration of industrial systems, so as to jointly build world-class advanced manufacturing clusters.

Xi stressed that reform and opening up are the key source of momentum for the development of all causes. He called on Tianjin to conscientiously summarize how its reform measures were implemented, and make plans for implementing new measures in accordance with the new developments in situations and missions, so as to ensure that the reform is more accurate, targeted and effective. It is particularly important to achieve greater progress in improving the systems underpinning the market economy, working unswervingly both to consolidate and develop the public sector and to encourage, support and guide the development of the non-public sector, developing new systems for a higher-level open economy at a faster pace, advancing regional integration, and innovating the systems and institutions for improving Beijing-Tianjin integrated development.

Xi pointed out that culture should serve to enlighten and bring tangible benefits to people, grace a city, promote industries of a city, and provide a city with its unique characteristics. These are supposed to be what a city is meant to achieve when it endeavors to inherit and develop its urban culture, as well as foster and nourish its urban civility. Tianjin should extensively explore its historical and cultural resources, and strengthen the protection of historical, cultural, and revolutionary heritage. In addition, it should improve the modern systems for cultural industries, and markets and public cultural services, and create distinctive and profound cultural brands, so as to demonstrate the modern features of Tianjin.

Xi stressed that it is a major task to advance the modernization of urban governance in order to build a modern metropolis. Tianjin should materialize the principle that cities should be built by the people and for the people, and make it a top priority to ensure that people live and work in peace and contentment. The supply of basic public services should be gradually expanded, and work should be done to secure the basic living needs of the disadvantaged, and to constantly increase people's sense of gain. It is imperative to adhere to the development path that brings out the full potential of a city. The way of urban governance should be innovated and the construction of a resilient and safe city should be reinforced. Proactive measures should be taken to initiate urban renewal projects to increase development potential, optimize development space, and continually improve business form, functionality, and quality of the urban environment.

Xi pointed out that since the theoretical study program for the whole Party to study and implement the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is coming to an end, it is imperative to establish a long-term mechanism to consolidate and expand what has been achieved in the study program. Leadership teams and leading officials at all levels should have a correct understanding of what it means to perform well and continuously combat pointless formalities to reduce burdens on community-level officials. It is essential to guide Party members and officials to dedicate themselves to work and make all efforts to promote the solid implementation of the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee.

In the end, Xi stressed that as the Spring Festival approaches, Party committees and governments at all levels should attach great importance to people's well-being and security, ensure the supply of essential necessities and energy, and maintain social harmony and stability so that people can have a joyful and peaceful Spring Festival.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi on the inspection tour.

Li Ganjie, He Weidong, He Lifeng and leading officials from relevant central Party and government departments accompanied him on part of the inspection tour. ■

Xi stresses development of new productive forces, high-quality development

BEIJING, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held its 11th group study session on making solid progress in promoting high-quality development on the afternoon of Jan. 31. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, while presiding over the study session, emphasized it is a must to bear in mind that high-quality development is an unyielding principle in the new era. Xi called for full implementation of the new development philosophy and fulfillment of the following strategic tasks: to speed up the building of a modernized economy, promote greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, accelerate the building of a new development paradigm, boost both in-depth reform and high-level opening up, and ensure both high-quality development and high-level security. Xi called for a sound assessment system to facilitate high-quality development. All these will lay a solid foundation for high-quality development. He said that developing new productive forces is an endogenous requirement and a pivot of high-quality development, and that efforts should be kept up to promote innovation and faster development of new productive forces.

During the study session, CPC Central Committee Political Bureau members studied independently and shared what they learned from their work. Comrades Ma Xingrui, He Lifeng, Zhang Guoqing and Yuan Jiajun made presentations, integrating the topic with developments in the fields or administrative regions under their jurisdiction. Comrades Liu Guozhong and Chen Min'er submitted written presentations and the rest exchanged their views.

Xi delivered an important speech when chairing the study session. He noted that since the inception of the new era, the CPC Central Committee has made a series of vital decisions and arrangements, helping Party members and society as a whole foster a consensus on high-quality development and national consciousness to act on the consensus. High-quality development has become the theme of economic and social development. Over the past few years, China has accomplished a great deal in scientific and technological innovation, and the efficacy of innovation-driven development is increasingly evident. Development has become much more coordinated and balanced between urban and rural areas as well as between regions. Reform and opening up has been deepened across the board, spurring a strong momentum and vitality of development. The country has made notable progress in green, low-carbon transformation, accelerated the shift in its development mode and achieved remarkable results in high-quality development. At the same time, there remains an abundance of constraints hindering high-quality development, which must be taken seriously and addressed effectively.

Xi stressed that high-quality development has to be supported by a new productivity theory. Since new productive forces have emerged in practice and exhibited their strong role in driving and supporting high-quality development, they should be theorized systematically to guide further development. In a nutshell, the new productive forces are primarily driven by innovation, and break free from traditional economic growth modes and productivity development paths; they feature high technology, high efficiency, and high quality, and are advanced productivity required by the new development philosophy. They are shaped by revolutionary technological breakthroughs, innovative allocation of production factors, and deep industrial transformation and upgrading, with the improvement of labor forces, means of labor, subjects of labor and their optimal combination as underlying elements, and a substantial increase in total factor productivity as a core hallmark. Marked by innovation, and with high quality as the key, new productive forces are advanced productivity in essence.

Xi pointed out that scientific and technological innovation can generate new industries, new models and new momentum, and is the core element for developing new productive forces. It is a must to strengthen scientific and technological innovation, especially original and disruptive innovations, accelerate the efforts to build high-level self-reliance and strength in science and technology, and do a good job in making breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, so that original and disruptive scientific and technological innovations can emerge one after another, and foster more momentum for the development of new productive forces, said Xi.

Xi stressed the need to promptly apply scientific and technological innovation achievements to specific industries and industrial chains, transform and upgrade traditional industries, cultivate and strengthen emerging industries, make plans for the development of future industries, and improve the modern industrial system. It is imperative to lay out the industrial chains for the development of new productive forces, improve the resilience and safety of the industrial and supply chains, and ensure that the industrial system is independent, controllable, safe and reliable, Xi said. It is essential to develop a sound layout of scientific, technological and industrial innovation for the strategic tasks including advancing new industrialization and moving faster to boost China's strength in manufacturing, product quality, cyberspace, digital development and agriculture, Xi said. Greater efforts should be made to develop the digital economy, further integrate it with the real economy, and build digital industry clusters with international competitiveness.

Xi pointed out that green development underlies high-quality development, and that the new productive forces in essence are green. It is imperative to accelerate the transition to a model of green development and work toward the goals of reaching carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. The principle that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets must be upheld and acted on, and the path to prioritizing ecological protection and pursuing green development must be followed unswervingly. It is essential to speed up green scientific and technological innovation and the promotion and application of advanced green technologies, strengthen green manufacturing industries, develop a green service sector, strengthen a green energy sector, and develop green and low-carbon industries and supply chains, to build a green, low-carbon and circular economy. Xi called for continued efforts to optimize the toolkit for economic policies to support green and low-carbon development, give play to the catalytic role of green finance, and develop an efficient ecological and green industrial cluster. Meanwhile, green, low-carbon ways of life should be encouraged throughout society.

Xi stressed that the relations of production must meet the requirements for developing productive forces. To develop new productive forces, it is imperative to deepen reform across the board so as to create a new type of relations of production that is compatible with the development of new productive forces. It is imperative to further reform the economic system, and the scientific and technological system in order to remove obstacles and impediments to the growth of new productive forces, develop a high-standard market system, and innovate the way to allocate factors of production, so that advanced and high-quality factors of production can flow smoothly towards the development of new productive forces. Meanwhile, high-level opening up must be expanded to create a sound international environment for the development of new productive forces.

Xi stressed that a virtuous cycle should be formed among education, science and technology, and personnel training. This should align with the requirements for developing new productive forces to improve the mechanism for training, introducing, employing talent and facilitate a reasonable talent flow. The discipline and talent development frameworks within higher education institutions should be refined in response to the latest trends in scientific and technological development, so as to cultivate personnel urgently needed for bolstering new productive forces and driving high-quality development. It is imperative to improve the income distribution system involving various production factors, such as labor, knowledge, technology, management, capital and data, to boost the vitality of these production factors, and better realize the market value of knowledge, technology and talent, so as to nurture an environment that champions innovation and allows for failure. ■

Xi chairs CPC leadership meeting to review reports, guideline and regulations

BEIJING, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a meeting on Jan. 31.

The meeting was held to review a report from the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee after it heard and discussed the work reports of the leading Party members groups of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), the State Council, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the Supreme People's Court (SPC), and the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP), as well as the work report of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee. Those attending the meeting also reviewed a summary report on the theoretical study program for the whole Party to study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, a guideline on consolidating and expanding what has been achieved in the study program, and the CPC regulations on disciplinary inspection. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, chaired the meeting.

Attendees of the meeting fully endorsed the work of the leading Party members groups of the NPC Standing Committee, the State Council, the CPPCC National Committee, the SPC and the SPP, as well as of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, since the 20th CPC National Congress, and approved their work plans for the year 2024. It was agreed at the meeting that the five leading Party members groups have followed the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, kept in mind the overall work of the Party and the country when performing their duties and fulfilling their responsibilities, and acted in earnest to improve themselves. They have contributed to economic growth and social stability and secured a good start to their work on all fronts. Under the leadership of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and its standing committee, the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, for its part, has been proactive and self-motivated in its work. It has done a lot of work in promoting the implementation of the CPC Central Committee's decisions and arrangements, improving the institutional development of Party regulations, and guiding the growth and reform of people's organizations, among other areas.

It was stressed at the meeting that 2024, marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, is a pivotal year for fulfilling the objectives of the 14th Five-Year Plan. The leading Party members groups of the NPC Standing Committee, the State Council, the CPPCC National Committee, the SPC, and the SPP must follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. They must uphold the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, which is the highest political principle, and focus on advancing Chinese modernization, a task of the greatest political importance, to continuously do a good job in implementing strategic decisions made at the 20th CPC National Congress. They must prioritize high-quality development, deepen reform and opening up, and ensure that the key tasks set at the Central Economic Work Conference are carried out to the letter, so as to raise the quality of our economy and promote its growth within a reasonable range. They must have a correct understanding of what it means to perform well, to improve people's well-being and maintain social fairness and justice. And they must ensure both high-quality development and high-level security, prepare for worst-case scenarios, and strengthen their awareness and capacity to carry out struggles. They must earnestly fulfill their principal responsibility of exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance, take the lead in implementing the CPC Central Committee's eight-point decision on improving conduct and the gist of the detailed rules for the implementation of the decision, and set examples by themselves in strengthening the Party's self-reform in a down-to-earth manner. The Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee should strengthen its sense of political responsibility, earnestly perform its duties, strengthen its self-improvement, and continue to accomplish with high quality all tasks assigned by the CPC Central Committee.

It was noted at the meeting that since the launch of the theoretical study program concerning Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the whole Party has closely followed the general requirements of studying the Thought, strengthening Party consciousness, emphasizing practice, and making new achievements. With focus on the theme and main line of the study, the entire Party has set clear goals and tasks, and given prominence to forging soul, increasing intellect, rectifying conduct and promoting work through the study. The study, combined with doing a good job in the first year of implementing the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, has helped solve problems that hinder high-quality development, and address the problems that the people are concerned about the most, and prominent problems in Party building, and thus achieved the desired goals.

It was stressed at the meeting that efforts must be continued to promote the study of the Party's new theories, and educate and guide Party members and officials to gain a clear understanding of the way, direction, methods and intellect for performing their duties, foster inner strength, enhance cohesion and forge the Party's soul by studying the theories. It is imperative to continuously solve problems and deliver good results through making rectifications and formulating regulations, so that the people can feel that their concerns are being addressed. It is essential to continue improving conduct, and act on the principle that the Party's line, theories and policies must be publicized, fact-finding missions conducted, and people's complaints received at the primary level, and officials must solve specific problems on the spot if necessary. The mass line in the new era must be followed, and pointless formalities and bureaucratism must be tackled, so that burdens on grassroots levels can be substantially alleviated. It is imperative to further consolidate Party work at grassroots, strengthen primary-level governance through Party building, and ensure that primary-level Party organizations and every Party member play a key, exemplary and vanguard role. Efforts must be continuously made on the implementation of policies by doing solid work, taking concrete measures and pursuing results so as to turn what has been achieved from the theoretical study program into the outcomes of high-quality development. Party committees and leading Party members groups at all levels should undertake the important political task of consolidating the gains from the program, and bear the primary responsibility for earnestly putting such gains into practical work.

It was noted at the meeting that since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the CPC has revised the Regulations of the Communist Party of China on Discipline Inspections three times, promoted discipline inspections and improved the systems and regulations for the Party's self-reform. It is essential to uphold the positioning of political inspections, and firmly uphold Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and uphold the Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership as a fundamental task. On that basis, inspections should oversee how power is exercised and responsibility is fulfilled, how leadership teams and their heads perform their duties and how the people's major concerns are addressed. In addition, political supervision should be specific, targeted, and regular.

It is imperative to see that the follow-up rectification of problems yield tangible results. This calls for the fulfilling of duties rigorously, the refining of mechanism in this regard, and putting to good use the achievements of political inspections, so that both symptoms and root causes of the problems are addressed. It is imperative to give full play to the comprehensive supervisory role of inspections, and promote the coordination between inspections and other means of supervision to create a synergy. A fine network of supervision should be established, with inspections by higher-level and lower-level Party committees coordinating with each other. A good job must be done to study, disseminate, and implement the Party's regulations on inspection work and strengthen the self-improvement of inspection teams so as to continuously standardize the inspection work.

Other issues were also deliberated at the meeting. ■

Xi makes important speech at study session on promoting high-quality development of financial sector

BEIJING, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- A study session on promoting high-quality financial development, attended by provincial and ministerial-level leading officials, was opened at the Party School of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee (the National Academy of Governance) on the morning of Jan. 16. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), made an important speech at the opening ceremony. Xi noted that the path for financial development with Chinese characteristics not only follows the way for the development of modern finance, but also has distinctive features that suit China's national conditions, and thus it is different in nature from the mode of Western financial development. We should have more confidence and continue to explore and improve our work in the financial sector, so that this path will become wider and wider.

Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi, members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee as well as Vice President Han Zheng attended the ceremony. Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the opening.

Xi noted that since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, we have actively explored the rules governing the development of finance in the new era, kept deepening our understanding of the defining feature of socialist finance with Chinese characteristics, and persistently promoted practical, theoretical and institutional innovation in the sector. In this process, we have accumulated valuable experience and gradually blazed a distinctively Chinese path to developing finance. On this path, the CPC Central Committee's centralized, unified leadership over financial work must be upheld, people-centered approach must be adhered to as its value orientation, and the fundamental principle that finance serves the real economy must be upheld as well. On this path, risk prevention and control must be regarded as the abiding theme of financial work, market-oriented financial innovation and development under the rule of law must be constantly promoted, and supply-side structural reform in the financial sector must be continued. On this path, financial opening up and security must be well coordinated, and the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability must be followed.

These points have clarified how financial work should be perceived and carried out on the new journey in the new era. They form a sound whole that encapsulates the fundamental position, viewpoints and methods for developing finance in a distinctively Chinese way.

Xi emphasized that a country with a strong financial sector should have a strong economic foundation, and lead the world in economy, technology and comprehensive national strength. Such a nation should also have a series of key core financial elements, such as a strong currency, a strong central bank, strong financial institutions, strong international financial centers, strong financial supervision, and a high-calibre team of financial talents. Building a strong financial sector requires long-term and persistent effort. It is a must to accelerate the building of a modern financial system with Chinese characteristics, and establish and improve a sound and stable financial regulation system, properly-structured financial markets, a financial institution system with clear division of labor and cooperation, a complete and effective financial regulatory system, a diversified and professional system of financial products and services, and a financial infrastructure that is independent, controllable, safe and efficient.

Xi pointed out that efforts must be made to prevent and defuse financial risks, especially systemic risks. Financial regulation must be "sharp and tough." Financial regulatory and administrative authorities must clearly define their responsibilities and strengthen cooperation and coordination between them. It is imperative to strictly enforce the law in such areas as market access, prudential supervision and behavioral supervision, so that financial supervision both horizontally and vertically is administered to the letter. Local governments should not just do their financial work well, but also focus on the big picture, and manage well financial risks under their jurisdiction and perform their duties well in maintaining stability. In the process of risk management, corruption must be resolutely cracked down on, corrupt elements must be punished and moral hazard must be prevented. Financial regulation is a systematic project, and financial management departments, macro-control departments, industry authorities, judicial departments, and discipline inspection and supervision organs all have corresponding responsibilities. They should strengthen coordination in supervision, and optimize the risk management mechanism, under which anyone in charge must be held accountable for risk control. We should also crack down on financial crimes.

Xi stressed that it is necessary to improve our country's efficiency and capacity in the allocation of financial resources through expanding opening up, and boost our financial sector's international competitiveness and its influence on international rules. Prudence should be exercised when it comes to the pace and intensity of endeavors in this regard. It is imperative to promote high-level financial opening up with a focus on institutional opening up, and implement the management system of pre-establishment national treatment plus negative lists. It is essential to benchmark against relevant rules in the financial sector from high-standard international economic and trade agreements to streamline restrictive measures, improve the transparency, stability and predictability of opening-up policies, standardize outward investment and financing, and improve financial support for Belt and Road cooperation. It is also essential to boost the inter-connectivity between the domestic and overseas financial markets, further promote the facilitation of cross-border investment and financing, and take an active part in the global reform on financial regulation. The red line for financial security must never be crossed under the conditions of opening up.

Xi noted that to promote high-quality development of the financial sector and build China's financial strength, it is imperative to combine rule of law with rule of virtue and foster a financial culture with Chinese characteristics. It is essential to remain committed to honesty and trustworthiness instead of crossing the line, to seek interest without compromising moral principles instead of putting profit before everything, to be prudent and cautious in work instead of seeking instant success and quick profits, to uphold fundamental principles and break new ground instead of diverting funds out of the real economy, and to be compliant with law and regulations instead of conducting illegal activities.

Xi noted at the end of his speech that officials at all levels must strengthen their financial acumen and capability in financial work. They should develop thinking about overall planning of both economic and financial work, faithfully implement the decisions and arrangements made at the central financial work conference, and coordinate efforts towards the high-quality development of both the economic and financial sectors, so as to make new and greater contributions to advancing the building of a strong country and national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization.

While presiding over the opening, Cai Qi highlighted that General Secretary Xi Jinping's speech is insightful, rich in substance, and has a broad vision and penetrating views. It is of political, theoretical, pertinent and guiding importance. This speech is of great significance for the entire Party, particularly senior officials, to have a correct understanding of the current situations and tasks facing China's financial development, further understand the fundamental principles and development path of financial work, substantially strengthen their capability in financial work and risk control, and stay committed to the path of financial development with Chinese characteristics. We should deepen our understanding of the speech's rich substance, core tenets and requirements for practical work, as well as the decisive significance of establishing Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and establishing the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. We should firmly uphold Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and uphold the Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership, and align our thoughts and actions with the decisions and plans made by the Central Committee.

Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, members of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, vice chairpersons with CPC membership of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, state councilors, president of the Supreme People's Court, procurator-general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, vice chairpersons with CPC membership of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and members of the CMC attended the opening.

Leading officials from all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, relevant central Party and state departments, relevant people's organizations, centrally-administered financial institutions, enterprises and institutions of higher learning, units of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force participated in the study session. Heads from central committees of other political parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and other relevant departments sat in on the opening. ■

Xi delivers important speech at CCDI plenary session

BEIJING, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) on the morning of January 8.

He emphasized that after ten years of unremitting anti-graft efforts in the new era, an overwhelming victory has been achieved and fully consolidated. However, the situation remains severe and complex. We must have a clear understanding of the latest developments and trends in the fight against corruption, and of the soil and conditions that give rise to corruption. The Party must continuously combat corruption with tenacity, perseverance and precision, and resolutely win the tough and protracted battle against corruption.

Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting. Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CCDI, presided over the meeting.

Xi pointed out that 2023 was the first year of implementing the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress on all fronts. The CPC Central Committee is committed to advancing self-reform. A theoretic study program has been rolled out across the Party to learn and implement the Thought on Socialism with Chinese characteristics for a New Era. The CPC Central Committee has kept innovating Party theories to promote cohesion and forge the Party's soul, and made political supervision more concrete, targeted, and regular. It has focused on rectifying pointless formalities and bureaucratism, removing bad apples, strengthening the management and supervision of Party members, promoting full and rigorous Party self-governance, ensuring the full implementation of the decisions and arrangements of the 20th CPC National Congress, and smooth start of the new journey.

Xi emphasized that as the world's largest Marxist ruling party, how can our party successfully break free from the historical cycle of rise and fall and ensure that the Party will never change its nature, convictions or its character? This is a strategic question facing all Party members. Since the Party's 18th National Congress, we have continuously engaged in practical exploration and theoretical reflection during the great practice of exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance. "Let the people supervise the government," was the first answer Comrade Mao Zedong proposed to this question. On that basis, we have provided the second answer - constantly advancing the Party's self-reform. In the practical and theoretical exploration of full and rigorous Party self-governance in the new era over the past decade, we have constantly deepened our understanding of the Party's self-reform, accumulated rich experience, and achieved a series of important theoretical achievements. These have systematically answered the major questions: Why our Party needs self-reform, why it can exercise such self-reform, and how we can advance it.

Xi pointed out that in advancing the Party's self-reform, we need to grasp nine main points, namely: To uphold the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee as its fundamental guarantee, to lead the great social revolution as its fundamental purpose, to follow the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as its fundamental guide, to escape the historical cycle of rise and fall as its strategic goal, to solve the problems unique to a large Party as ours as its main direction, to improve the system of full and rigorous Party self-governance as an effective pathway, and to forge a strong organization and build a competent team as the focus of our endeavors, to improve conduct and enforce discipline as a linchpin for fight against corruption, and to combine self-supervision with people's oversight as a strong motivating force. We must persist in emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, keeping up with the times, and upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground. We should continuously engage in practical exploration and theoretical innovation, deepen our understanding of the way for the Party's self-reform, make the philosophy and measures of the CPC's self-reform more meticulous, and implement it in every front and every aspect in a concrete and in-depth manner.

Xi emphasized that on the new journey of the fight against corruption, we must continue to make sustained efforts and further progress in eradicating the soil and conditions for corruption. The overall requirement is that coordinated efforts should be made to ensure that officials do not have the audacity, opportunity or desire to be corrupt, address both the symptoms and root causes in a systematic way, and continue to extend the depth and width of the fight against corruption. We should adopt the right approach for specific problems, and take targeted and combined measures to fight against corruption, in order to gradually reduce recurring old problems, prevent the spread of new problems, and institutionalize the long-term efforts to preempt and fight against corruption.

Xi pointed out that we must strengthen the CPC's centralized and unified leadership over the fight against corruption. CPC committees at all levels must effectively strengthen their leadership over the entire process of the fight, firmly support the investigation and prosecution of corruption cases, and take resolute actions to rectify problems. Disciplinary inspection commissions and supervisory commissions, as specialized agencies, should take responsibilities in a more proactive way, effectively assist the CPC committees in organizing and coordinating the fight against corruption, and integrate the strengths of all institutions in the entire anti-corruption chain. Functional departments must maintain efficient collaboration and consciously translate decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee in this regard into concrete actions.

Xi stressed the need to maintain tough actions against corruption. In the face of a still grim and complex situation, there is no way for us to turn back, drop our guard and show leniency in our fight against corruption, and we must continue our endeavors in this regard. It is important to continue our focus on seven types of misconduct. To be specific, they are as follows: Some officials engage in cronyism and ostracize those outside of their circle; some form self-serving cliques; some anonymously lodge false accusations and fabricate rumors; some seek to buy popular support and rig elections in their favor; some promise official posts and lavish praise on each other for their promotions; some do things their own way and feign compliance with policies while acting counter to them; and some get too big for their boots and make presumptuous comments on the decisions of the CPC Central Committee. It's essential to make it our top priority to crack down on any collusion between officials and business people, combat profit-seeking activities with the help of power, and resolutely prevent interest groups and power groups from infiltrating the political sphere. It is imperative to further combat corruption in the sectors of finance, state-owned enterprises, energy, medicine, and infrastructure construction where power is concentrated, capital is intensive, and resources are abundant, and preempt potential risks. Firm action must be taken to deal with corrupt low-ranking officials, so that the people can have a stronger sense of gain.

Xi called for deepening reform to stop corruption from growing and spreading. The abuse of power is what corruption is all about. It is a must to keep in check the key power involved in formulating policies, making decisions, as well as approval and oversight. It is important to deepen institutional reform in key areas, accelerate the development of governance mechanisms in emerging areas, improve the mechanism for allocating power and regulating its operation, further plug institutional loopholes, regulate discretion, and reduce opportunities for rent-seeking. It is necessary to establish a joint mechanism for early warning about corruption and punishment of corrupt elements, strengthen dynamic monitoring of potential risks of integrity being eroded, and strengthen the speedy handling of new types of corruption and hidden abuse of power.

Xi stressed the need to further improve anti-corruption laws and regulations. It is important to improve basic laws and regulations in order to ensure that officials do not have the audacity, opportunity, or desire to become corrupt, and strengthen the supporting system for supervising leadership teams and top leaders. It is imperative to continuously promote national anti-corruption legislation, revise the Supervision Law to keep it updated, and take the opportunity of studying and implementing the newly-revised regulations on disciplinary punishment to carry out a discipline education campaign throughout the Party. Efforts should be made to strengthen oversight and inspection of the implementation of key regulations and systems to ensure that they are followed and implemented to the letter.

Xi noted that efforts should be intensified to punish bribe givers. Those who always lure officials with bribes to abuse of power and become the scourge of corruption must be investigated and strictly punished. Notice of typical cases must be circulated to ensure a correct understanding of the matter, and serve as a warning to the others. Efforts should be intensified to recover the illegitimate gains of bribe givers.

Xi stressed that unremitting efforts must be made to improve the political environment. Work must be done to not only eliminate vice but also exalt virtue. It is imperative to enforce strict political discipline and rules, conduct intraparty political activities in earnest, break tacit rules and give teeth to regulations. It is essential to resolutely fight against forming cliques as well as seeking political support through connections and establishing abnormal relations between higher-level officials and their subordinates. Political swindlers must be forcefully cracked down on, and steps must be taken to prohibit commodity trading rules from finding its way into the Party. Misconduct concerning selecting and recruiting officials must also be addressed unswervingly, so as to build a clean work relationship among colleagues, and between ranking officials and their subordinates, and develop a clean political atmosphere.

Xi noted that a culture of integrity in the new era must be promoted. In-depth education for enhancing Party consciousness, improving Party conduct and tightening Party discipline must be advanced, and the proud traditions and venerable conduct of the Party must be carried forward. Party members must be encouraged to aim high and pursue high, and regard abuse of power and corruption as a sheer disgrace. Attention must be paid to fostering stronger family ties, values and traditions, and leading officials must be urged to set strict rules for their relatives and children. Public awareness activities to promote the principle of integrity and cases of models in this regard are also required to foster public respect for integrity and bolster resistance to corruption.

Xi stressed that discipline inspection and supervision departments are an important force for advancing the Party's self-reform, and that they shoulder special political responsibilities and honorable missions, thus they must remain absolutely loyal, reliable and clean. Efforts should be made to consolidate and expand what has been achieved in the theoretical study program and further strengthen political loyalty. It is imperative to be of one mind with the Party Central Committee at all times and under all circumstances. It is essential to be more conscious of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership, strengthen our confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and firmly uphold General Secretary Xi Jinping's core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and uphold the Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership. These should be transformed into concrete actions in following the Party's commands and fulfilling our duties for the Party. It is essential to adhere to our principles, stand up to any wrongdoing, have the courage and ability to carry on our fight, and take responsibility in our efforts to steadfastly improve conduct, enforce discipline, and combat corruption, and thereby further promote the full and rigorous Party self-governance. We should strengthen the building of a team of disciplinary inspection and supervision personnel, regularly eliminate bad apples in the Party, resolutely prevent and address misdeeds taking place by our sides, and strive to be a model of self-reform and a benchmark for rule compliance. Thus we will forge a strong team of disciplinary inspection and supervision personnel which the Party Central Committee has confidence in and the people are satisfied with.

While chairing the meeting, Li Xi pointed out that General Secretary Xi's important speech has summarized the new progress and achievements in exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance, profoundly elucidated the important thought on the Party's self-reform, offered sound answers to such crucial questions as why the Party needs to reform itself, why it can reform itself and how such self-reform should be carried out and promoted. The speech has put forward specific requirements for Party's self-reform and made strategic arrangements for sustained efforts in the fight against corruption. The visionary speech is broad in perspective, profound in thought, and rich in content, and it provides us with fundamental guidance for exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance, for improving conduct and building integrity, and for fighting against corruption on the new journey in the new era. It is necessary to thoroughly study and implement the important gist of General Secretary Xi's speech and his important thought on the Party's self-reform, firmly support the affirmation of Xi Jinping's core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and the affirmation of the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, uphold General Secretary Xi Jinping's core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, uphold the CPC Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership, and further strengthen the full and rigorous Party self-governance, and Party's self-reform, providing strong guarantees for promoting the building of a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through a Chinese path to modernization.

Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, members of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, relevant leaders of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, state councilors, president of the Supreme People's Court, procurator-general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, relevant leaders of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, as well as members of the Central Military Commission attended the meeting.

Members of the CCDI, leading officials of central Party and government departments as well as people's organizations, and leading officials of relevant units in the military also participated in the meeting. The meeting was held via video and telephone, with sub-venues set up in various provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, and relevant military units.

The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CCDI opened in Beijing on January 8. The Standing Committee of the CCDI presided over the meeting. On the afternoon of January 8, Li Xi, on behalf of the Standing Committee of the CCDI, delivered a work report titled "Thoroughly Studying and Implementing General Secretary Xi Jinping's Important Thought on the Party's Self-reform, and Further Promoting the High-Quality Development of Discipline Inspection and Supervision Work on the New Journey." ■

Standing Committee of Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee hears reports of five leading Party members groups and Secretariat

BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- On Jan. 4, the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a day-long meeting. The meeting heard work reports from the leading Party members groups of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the State Council, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuratorate. The meeting also listened to a work report from the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting and delivered an important speech.

It was noted at the meeting that since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee hears reports annually on the work of these five leading Party members groups, and a work report of the Secretariat of the Central Committee. This is an important institutional arrangement to uphold and strengthen the Party's overall leadership. It has been proven that this arrangement makes it possible for the Party to exercise overall leadership and coordinate the efforts of all sides, and maintain its unity and ability. It is conducive to allowing full play to the strengths of our socialist system with Chinese characteristics. This is the first time since the 20th CPC National Congress for the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to hold such a meeting. It is meant to consolidate and improve this arrangement.

It was noted at the meeting that since the 20th CPC National Congress, guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the five leading Party members groups have firmly upheld the authority of the CPC Central Committee and its centralized, unified leadership, and earnestly studied and implemented the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress. They have performed duties with a focus on the overall work of the Party and the country, intensified self-reform efforts, fulfilled the responsibility of exercising full and rigorous Party governance, contributed to economic development and social stability, and made new achievements in all fields of their work.

It was noted at the meeting that since the 20th CPC National Congress, under the leadership of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee has taken a proactive approach, earnestly performed its duties, and done a lot of work in implementing the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee, strengthening the framework of Party regulations, and guiding the development and reform of people's organizations.

It was stressed at the meeting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and is a critical year for achieving the goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan. These five leading Party members groups must follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, deeply understand the decisive significance of the affirmation of Xi Jinping's core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and the affirmation of the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, become more conscious of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership, and strengthen confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics. They must uphold General Secretary Xi Jinping's core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and uphold the CPC Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership. They should comprehensively implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the Second Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and adhere to the highest political principle of the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee. They should never forget our original aspiration and founding mission, forge ahead with brave initiative and effective action to advance Chinese modernization, which is of utmost political importance. They should, under the unified command of the CPC Central Committee, do a good job in making concerted efforts to promote the implementation of the strategic deployment of the 20th CPC National Congress, and make greater contributions to building China into a strong country and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

It was emphasized at the meeting that for the new year, the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee should, in accordance with the arrangements and requirements of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and its standing committee, fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the Second Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee. With focus on its own range of work, the Secretariat should strengthen its sense of political responsibility, fulfill its duties, improve its capability to deliberate important issues and get things done, prioritize key areas, ensure sound implementation of relevant policies and continue to fulfill the tasks assigned by the CPC Central Committee. ■