Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the opening of a training session for young and middle-aged officials at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), Sept 1, 2021. (SHEN HONG / XINHUA)
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has urged young officials to firm up their beliefs, stay loyal to the Party and build up their skills to become more capable and equal to their responsibilities.
He also underscored the importance for officials to seek truth from facts and never yield an inch on matters of principle, while addressing the opening ceremony of a study session on Wednesday at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee attended by young and middle-aged officials.
With China's great rejuvenation entering a critical period and mounting risks and challenges faced by the nation, it would be impractical to indulge in thoughts of living in peace and dodging struggles, he told officials－the second time Xi has addressed the opening of a study session for young and middle-aged officials at the school this year.
President Xi Jinping underscored the importance for officials to seek truth from facts and never yield an inch on matters of principle
He highlighted the need to drop illusions, be courageous and safeguard the nation's sovereignty, security and development interests with unprecedentedly firm resolve, saying that Communists must have the strength of character, integrity and boldness at any time to stand up for their beliefs and show their determination.
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The CPC, over the past 100 years, has maintained firm ideals and beliefs－the belief in Marxism, the ideal of Communism and the ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics, which are the spiritual pillar and the political essence of CPC members and the ideological basis that binds the Party together, he explained.
He urged young officials to always keep in mind that firming up their ideals and beliefs is a lifelong task, and they must make constant efforts to make them stronger.
Firm ideals and beliefs are also the prerequisite to staying loyal to the Party, he said, adding that the key touchstones for loyalty are upholding the Party's leadership, resolutely upholding the authority of the CPC Central Committee and its centralized, unified leadership, and faithfully implementing the Party's theories, lines, principles and policies.
Xi encouraged officials to keep their feet firmly on the ground, have more contact with people at the grassroots level and garner both positive and negative feedback from the public in order to know the real situation in a more thorough manner.
He warned officials against playacting during their research trips, saying that they must hear the truth and research real problems.
The most fundamental standard to determine whether an official can seek truth from facts is whether the official can tell the truth, address real issues and work toward pragmatic results, he said, adding that young officials must have the courage to adhere to the truth, excel in independent thinking and stick to a realistic and pragmatic approach.
Xi stressed the need for officials to assume their responsibilities, saying that the Party assigned the officials to various posts expecting them to conduct themselves proactively, rather than to enjoy ease or comfort from their position.
He called upon the officials to rise up to difficulties, live up to their duties and act boldly and unwaveringly on issues that are beneficial to the Party and the people.
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The general secretary noted that upholding principles is a key part of the character of a Party member and an important criterion to determine whether an official is up to his job.
A Party member should never be ambiguous or make concessions on matters of principle, as such behavior amounts to being irresponsible to the Party and the people and could be considered a misdeed, he said.
In order to guard against corruption, Xi called on officials to remain thoroughly disciplined, refrain from actions that cross the line, and improve their political awareness and ideological level.
Young officials, who are at the ideal age to bolster their capabilities, must seize every minute to learn and improve, especially in terms of knowledge and skills that will help them excel in their jobs, he added.
