Xi urges modernization of governing system

BEIJING, Feb. 17 -- President Xi Jinping on Monday said the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) and the government must constantly improve the level of governance and promote socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Xi made the remarks while speaking at a workshop at the CPC Central Committee Party School on the comprehensive advancement of the reform, as demanded by the third plenary session of the 18th Central Committee of the CPC.

Attendees of the workshop are leading officials of provincial-level regions and ministerial-level officials.

Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, told the workshop that the Party's mission is to find a "stable and effective" system for development, the wellbeing of the people and society's long-term stability.

An effective governing system will only happen if Party and officials' integrity, capability and skills are improved and the efficiency of Party organs, government departments, public institutions, enterprises and civil organizations are raised, he said.

The CPC must rule in an "scientific, democratic and legalistic manner," he said.

"A governing system is determined by history, cultural tradition, economic development, and the will of the people," he said.

Although China's current system needs improvement, the CPC should be confident that it represents the results of gradual development based on history, culture and the economy. Confidence in the current system does not mean fear of reform, he said.

"Without confidence, the CPC will not have the courage to reform and without reform, confidence will not last long," he said.

Chinese people are open-minded and are good at learning and incorporating what they learn into their own system, Xi said.

Xi also called for greater efforts to promote core socialist values and set up a value system with Chinese characteristics in line with the new era, calling them an important part of good governance.

On Dec. 23, 2013, the CPC issued an unusually detailed guideline of bolstering core socialist values and pooling positive energy to realize the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation .

According to it, core socialist values include national goals of prosperity, democracy, civility, and harmony; social goals of freedom, equality, justice and the rule of law; and individual values of patriotism, dedication, integrity and friendship.

Stressing the role of culture in promoting values in society, Xi urged to strengthen exploration and interpretation of China's fine traditional culture and realize its innovative development to integrate tradition and modernity.

"As long as the Chinese nation aspires after fine and noble ethics generation after generation, our country will always be replete with hopes," Xi said.

At the workshop, Xi reiterated the resolve to carry out the reform plan issued at the third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee last November.

"Drafting a good document is only the first step for a long march, and implementation is still the key," said Xi.

According to Xi, officials should understand each specific policy in the context of the overall policy arrangement as well as the relations between long-term and short-term policies, achieving a balance between principles and flexibility.

In terms of implementation, Xi urged officials to have a strong sense of duty in putting various policies into practice in a timely manner but told them to have patience for positive results.

"Reform is a job that needs to be done gradually and demands both the courage for breakthroughs and sure, steady footsteps," Xi said.

Xi noted that the reform plan is determined based on the country's overall interests, basic interests and long-term interests, ruling out the conservative ideas that policies that are not immediately pleasant should not be considered.

"Changes in favor of people's benefits and the long-term prosperity and stability of the Party and the country must be made with resolution, and that's called being responsible for history, the people and the nation," Xi added.

Also attending the workshop were the six other members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli.