Chinese official calls for cultural, ethical progress

BEIJING, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese official Liu Yunshan on Saturday called for efforts to bolster core socialist values and promote cultural and ethical progress while seeking economic growth.

Liu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, stressed the need to strengthen the education of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the idea of the Chinese dream among the public.

People's confidence in the country's independent "path, theory and system" should be further boosted, Liu said at a conference held by the Central Spiritual Civilization Development Steering Commission.

More efforts are needed to encourage the public to adapt to the "new normal" of economic development, he added.

The "new normal" of economic development features slower speed but higher quality, with more emphasis on innovation.

Liu noted that core socialist values should be deeply rooted among the people.

Core socialist values include national goals of prosperity, democracy, civility and harmony; social goals of freedom, equality, justice and the rule of law; and individual values of patriotism, dedication, integrity and friendship.

He also urged efforts to promote the virtue of honesty and polite tourist behavior, and crack down on undesirable activities of polluting environment and spreading harmful information on the Internet.