China's Vice President Hu Jintao said in Beijing Tuesday that the key to an effective implementation of the government-initiated strategy to develop the west lies in effective Party building, and that leading officials at all levels need to make a good example and take the lead in implementing the strategy.

Hu made the call when discussing with deputies from southwest China's Guizhou Province the government work report delivered by Premier Zhu Rongji Sunday at the annual session of the nation's legislature.

"There is no experience to follow or old mode to duplicate when we develop the west under market economic conditions. Leading officials must have a high sense of responsibility and mission, learn from their own experience and seek a new path," said Hu, also a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee.

Hu also urged local officials to strengthen ties with the people, bear in mind the principle of serving the people with all heart, and seek every possible way to solve their problems and help them out of difficulties.

When speaking of Guizhou, Hu said that the government strategy to prioritize the country's west for economic development will create precious opportunities for such regions including Guizhou, and the province needs to seek a new path for development based onits own natural conditions and social and economic realities.

During the discussion, deputies aired their views on topics such as speeding up transport infrastructure, supplying electric power eastward and strengthening higher education.