Chinese president urges modernization of governing system

Chinese President Xi Jinping said that the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) and the government must constantly improve the level of governance and promote socialism with Chinese characteristics.The President made the remarks while speaking at a workshop at the CPC Central Committee Party School on the comprehensive advancement of the reform, attended by leading officials of provincial-level regions and ministerial-level officials, China’s (Xinhua) news agency reported.The President, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, told the workshop that the Party’s mission is to find a “stable and effective” system for development, the wellbeing of the people and society’s long-term stability.An effective governing system will only happen if Party and officials’ integrity, capability and skills are improved and the efficiency of Party organs, government departments, public institutions, enterprises and civil organizations are raised, he said. The CPC must rule in an “scientific, democratic and legalistic manner,” he said.“A governing system is determined by history, cultural tradition, economic development, and the will of the people,” he said.Although China’s current system needs improvement, the CPC should be confident that it represents the results of gradual development based on history, culture and the economy. Confidence in the current system does not mean fear of reform, he said. “Without confidence, the CPC will not have the courage to reform and without reform, confidence will not last long,” he said.Xi also called for greater efforts to promote core socialist values and set up a value system with Chinese characteristics in line with the new era, calling them an important part of good governance.On December 23, 2013, the CPC issued an unusually detailed guideline of bolstering core socialist values and pooling positive energy to realize the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.According to it, 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.