Chinese President Xi stresses reform confidence

JINAN, Nov. 28 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for confidence in realizing further reform and determination to overcome difficulties.

"All Party members should be confident that China's reform blueprint will be realized. No matter what difficulties and disturbances we encounter, we shall not swerve from the reform," said Xi during an inspection tour of east China's Shandong Province from Sunday to Thursday.

The blueprint is in place, and now the most important thing is to implement it and turn it into reality step by step, Xi said.

However, he admitted that it will be a tough and complicated task for the Communist Party of China (CPC) to deepen reform.

"It will be a new test for the Party's ability to rule and lead the country," said Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

A key reform plan, listing more than 300 measures, was adopted at the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee on Nov. 12.

Xi noted that the reform measures should be implemented precisely according to the plan, cautioning against blindly pushing forward work without understanding the requirements of the central authorities.

Some measures, designed to be carried out under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee, should not be rushed, while those that can be done as early as possible should not be delayed, he said.

If a reform measure needs to be tested, the country will carefully research instead of doing it in haste, according to the president.

Some measures should not be instated until relevant laws are in place, he added.

Xi stressed that, when implementing the reform plan, local officials should not only respect the authority of central-level policies but also be flexible to consider local conditions.

He called on the whole CPC and Chinese society to unite together under the consensus of pushing forward reform, and to understand, support and take part in reform efforts.

The CPC should focus all its work on reform efforts and all Party officials should strive to enhance their ability to mobilize and organize reforms as well as handle complex situations, he urged.

During the five-day tour, Xi visited a cemetery on Monday in Linyi City, an important military base for China's war of resistance against Japanese aggressors from 1937 to 1945, to pay homage to the revolutionary martyrs.

On Monday afternoon, he went to a village where the CPC had established Party organizations in the early days of the war. There, Xi dropped in at the home of an 83-year-old man to learn about the current lives of the old "comrade" and his family members.

Asking local officials to give more support for the development of such old revolutionary bases, Xi said, "Though life is becoming better, history can't be forgotten and those who made sacrifices for new China's founding must be remembered."

On Tuesday, Xi visited Qufu City, the birthplace of ancient philosopher Confucius, or Kong Zi. His teachings centered on peace and social harmony.

He called for morality to be developed across society, building on what is useful in traditional moral standards and discarding what is unhealthy.

"Our nation will always be full of hope as long as the Chinese pursuit of a beautiful and lofty moral realm continues from generation to generation," said Xi.

During his inspection of Shandong, Xi also visited a textile company and the Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, where he stressed the decisive role of technology in enhancing enterprises' competitiveness and promoting the development of the agriculture.

He urged local authorities to improve the living standards of farmers and migrant workers by increasing their income and providing them with more public services.

Xi also listened to a report on local work delivered by the Shandong provincial authorities and praised their work. He encouraged the province, one of the richest in China, to further transform its economic development mode in order to lead the nation in building a well-off society.