Jiang Zemin, general secretary of the Central Committee of Communist Party of China (CPC), stressed in Beijing January 14 that in order to run the State well, efforts must be made to strictly run the CPC well first and this is decided by the nature, status and historical mission of the CPC.

The key to how things are done in China today is the ruling party, its thought, work style, discipline, organization, fighting power and leadership, Jiang pointed out.

Jiang, who is also Chinese State president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks here today while addressing the Fourth Plenary Session of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), which was presided over by Wei Jianxing, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CCDI.

The session was also attended by other senior Chinese Party leaders Li Peng, Zhu Rongji, Li Ruihuan, Hu Jintao and Li Lanqing.

In view of the CPC's history of more than 70 years, the brilliance and twists and turns of the cause of socialism in the world in the 20th century, and the current outstanding problems among the Party members and leading Party officials, Jiang expounded the necessity, urgency, and significance of strictly running the Party well.

"The more we do in reform and opening up and in developing socialist market economy, the stricter we should be in running the Party well," the Chinese leader stressed, adding, otherwise, it is "very dangerous" if the Party is loose in discipline and organization."

How to always play the Party's powerful role as the leading core under the new domestic and international environment is the fundamental question of further consolidating and fully demonstrating the superiority of socialism in its cross-century development in China.

Jiang said an important factor behind negativity and corruption within the Party is the slack management of some Party units and leaders and their neglect of education, administration, and supervision.

He stressed that Party committees at all levels should establish and perfect a responsibility system, one that will have to take responsibility when problems arise.

Jiang said that leaders and officials must be educated and administered strictly, and they must set firm restrictions for their spouses and children. Their power should never be used as a means of advancing their own interests or those of family members.

The selection and promotion of officials must follow strict rules, and the examination of moral quality must be considered when choosing officials, he said, adding that the abuse of power for personal purposes, or striking deals between power and money will be severely punished when they are discovered.

He said that officials also must be under strict supervision, and their conduct after work too. Party Committees at all levels should actively seek effective ways and methods to supervise officials.

Jiang emphasized that illegal activities and violations of discipline among officials must be strictly investigated and punished without mercy, no matter how high their ranks or how renowned the offenders are. They all must face the punishment they deserve.

Jiang said that in order to maintain the Party's vigor, unqualified members must be expelled from the Party.

The Party today faces the pressing issue of educating its 60-plus million members, he said, adding that efforts should be made to encourage discipline inspection personnel to bravely undertake their duties in enforcing the laws and disciplines, and in investigating illegal activities among Party members, and help them overcome difficulties in their work.