President Xi commemorates CPC revolutionary veteran, stresses Party unity

BEIJING, June 12 -- President Xi Jinping has urged members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to learn from veterans of the revolution, who are models of Party unity, discipline and morals.

Xi made the remarks Friday at a symposium to mark the 110th anniversary of the birth of Chen Yun, one such revolutionary.

"The bitter and glorious historical period of the 20th century saw the emergence of a huge number of outstanding CPC members. Comrade Chen Yun's firm belief, strong Party principles, earnest, frugal style and hardworking spirit deserve to be remembered forever," Xi said.

At the meeting, Xi recalled Chen's outstanding contributions to the revolution, and China's subsequent construction and reform, hailing him a "great proletarian revolutionary, politician, an outstanding Marxist, the founder of China's socialist economy and a tested, excellent Party and state leader."

Chen was a key member of both Mao Zedong's and Deng Xiaoping's leadership teams. He made a great contribution to New China, the socialist economic and political systems, reform and opening-up and socialist modernization.

Xi urged CPC members to strictly follow Party rules, uphold Party unity, support the authority of the CPC Central Committee and ensure that the entire Party "move together in one mind and at one pace."

Praising Chen's opposition to privilege and corruption, Xi urged all members to understand people's hearts and solve their problems in a time of reform.

"Making decisions based on research and investigation was how Chen followed the principle of seeking truth from facts his whole life... Party members should conduct deep and comprehensive research and inspections to grasp real situations," Xi said.

Xi also stressed the study of Marxist philosophy and a wide range of knowledge to boost Party members' ambitions and morality.

Other leaders, including Li Keqiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli, also attended the meeting, which was presided over by Liu Yunshan.