The Sixth Plenum of the 14th CPC Central Committee

The Communist Party of China (CPC) closed a conference recently with a call to emphasize socialist ethics along with economic progress.

The Sixth Plenum of the 14th CPC Central Committee, held in Beijing from October 7 to 10, adopted a seven-part "Decision of the CPC Central Committee Regarding Important Issues on Promoting Socialist Ethical and Cultural Progress," according to a communique released on October 10.

The plenum reiterated that the guiding principles for promoting socialist ethical and cultural progress are Marxism, Mao Zedong Thought and Deng Xiaoping's theory on building socialism with Chinese characteristics, as well as the Party's basic policies.

A total of 181 members and 124 alternate members of the Party Central Committee attended the plenum, with members of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and leading officials of departments concerned attending as non-voting members.

The plenum also decided that the CPC will hold its 15th National Congress in Beijing in the second half of next year.

The 14th CPC National Congress was held in Beijing in October of 1992. The Party Constitution stipulates that the CPC National Congress be convened every five years.

Since the Fourth Plenum of the 13th CPC Central Committee, it was noted, the Party Central Committee has adhered to the basic theories and political policies of the Party and has promoted ethical and cultural progress in various aspects.

Obvious results have been obtained to guarantee reform, development and stability. This mainstream must be fully recognized when it comes to judging the current situation of ethical and cultural progress.

At the same time, ideological education and ethical and cultural progress are still being neglected by the leadership in some sectors. Some problems are quite serious, the plenum said. Therefore, it is essential to enhance awareness among all Party members of the importance and urgency of these aspects.

While firmly sticking to the central task of economic development and promoting material progress, ethical and cultural progress deserves greater attention.

The plenum called for cultivation of socialist citizens with lofty ideals, moral integrity, good education and a strong sense of discipline.

The major target for the next 15 years is to let the entire nation firmly foster the common ideal of building socialism with Chinese characteristics and have faith in upholding the Party's basic policies without wavering, the plenum pointed out.

Efforts should be intensified to strike a balance between material and spiritual progress. Education in patriotism must be firmly carried out to foster a national spirit of greater self-respect, self-confidence and self-support.

To deepen the reform of the cultural system and vitalize the culture, priority must be given to consideration of social effects and every effort should be made to achieve the best combination of social effects and economic benefits.

The key to the promotion of material progress rests with the Party and so does the key to the development of ethical and cultural progress, the plenum noted.

A good job should be done to improve the Party's style of work and to build a clean, honest government, the plenum stressed.

(NO. 44 OCTOBER 28, 1996)