Party Members Need To Stick To Deng's Theory 　　Hu Jintao, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee, told a gathering of Party and government veterans on February 10 that Communist Party members need to hold high the banner of Deng Xiaoping Theory for outstanding achievements to greet the coming 50th anniversary of the founding of the New China. 　　Party members need to follow the Party Central Committee's requirements, unify their thought, seize opportunities, unite together as one, work diligently for new victories in the reforms, opening-up, and modernization drive to greet the coming 50th anniversary, he said. 　　China managed to maintain a continuous economic growth last year in spite of the Asian financial crisis, the worsening international economic situation, and devastating floods, he said, and this year will be special because of the many major events. 　　Doing this year's work well is significant for the Ninth Five- Year Plan (1996-2000) and for being sure that China enters the 21st century in a more active way, he said. So, the banner of Deng Xiaoping Theory needs to be held high, and the basic Party line implemented unswervingly, the central task of economic construction grasped firmly, the reforms and opening-up continued, and they need to try hard to achieve stable economic growth and ensure social and political stability. 　　Although there are contradictions and difficulties of one kind or another and predictable and unpredictable risks, he said, China will withstand various tests under the leadership of the Party and with all the people united. 　　He urged Party officials to keep in close contact with the people, to listen to their voices, to serve them, and to help them diligently, especially impoverished people, people laid off by state-owned enterprises, and retirees. 　　The key to fulfilling this year's tasks lies in strengthening and improving Party leadership, enhancing the Party, and making full use of Party organizations at all levels, Hu said, and he praised retirees for their contributions to the independence and liberation of the Chinese nation, to the founding of New China and the socialist cause, and to the reforms, opening-up, and modernization. HomeNews 1999-02-11 Page1 Full Story in Chinese