Premier Zhu Rongji said recently that the current nationwide drive to put the three emphases on education in theoretical study, political awareness and good conduct ("three emphases") is to make ideological, political and organizational preparations for China to enter the new century and to fulfill the new historical tasks ahead.

"Earnest efforts must be made to do the work well in accordance with the plan of the Party Central Committee and the guidelines of the important speeches of General Secretary Jiang Zemin," said Zhu, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the ruling Chinese Communist Party.

While making an investigation of the education drive in Fengnan county of north China's Hebei Province, some 150 kilometers east of Beijing, Zhu expounded the significance of the nationwide " three emphases" education drive at a local meeting attended by over 700 local leading officials.

He said that "the outstanding problems" in the leading officials must be overcome with regard to the Party's style of work and the Party spirit. "A high standard and a strict requirement should be set for the education," the Chinese leader added.

By the end of the education drive, Zhu said, there should be a marked improvement ideologically, politically, in their work style, discipline and in their relations with the common people. Zhu called on the local leadership to improve its guidance in this regard so that a complete success will be achieved in the drive.