The key to running China well lies with the building of the Communist Party of China (CPC), according to a commentary carried in today's People's Daily.

The commentary quotes Chinese President Jiang Zemin as saying that the CPC represents not only advanced productive forces but also culturally and socially progressive trends.

A culturally-progressive trend means a culture that has morals, scientific and cultural knowledge.

In China's reforms and opening up and its modernization drive, it is necessary to encourage social morals that are conducive to the liberation and development of productive forces, the unification of China, solidarity of all ethnic groups and improving the people's standard of living, the commentary says.

The commentary highlights the importance of enhancing socialist cultural and ethic progress to cultivate a scientific and popular socialist culture with Chinese characteristics.