At the symposium on December 26, 2013, Xi said that the correct historical context must be adopted to appraise a historical figure.

"We cannot use today's conditions, level of development or understanding to judge our predecessors, nor can we expect predecessors to have done the things that only their successors can do," Xi noted.

Xi said the fact that Mao took detours during the exploration of the path of building socialism cannot be denied, admitting he made "serious mistakes" in his later years, especially during the "cultural revolution" (1966-76).

"Comrade Mao Zedong's mistakes in his later years have their own subjective factors and responsibilities, and complicated social and historical reasons both at home and abroad also played their part," Xi said. "Without the pros and cons of historical experience gained from practical exploration before the reform and opening up, such processes would not have proceeded so smoothly."

Mao once summarized the Chinese nation's renewal as having two targets: state independence and national liberation, and a rich people and strong nation.

China met its first target in 1949 after more than 100 years of struggle, and the CPC pledged to achieve their second goal on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the PRC in 2049.

Xi proposed the "Chinese dream," a concept targeting "the great renewal of the Chinese nation," shortly after he assumed the top leadership position of the CPC in November 2012.

Today the concept of economic construction has become the central goal of the country, and the reform and opening-up policy has taken root deep in the Chinese people's hearts.

Under the nation's new conditions, Party members should adhere to and make good use of the "living soul" of Mao Zedong Thought, namely seeking truth from facts, the "mass line" and independence, according to Xi.

The CPC in June initiated a one-year campaign to strengthen the "mass line," a guideline under which the CPC is required to prioritize the interests of the people.

When interpreting the doctrine of "seeking truth from facts," Xi called on Party officials to soberly and correctly grasp the fact that China remains in the primary stage of socialism and will long remain so, and for them uphold truth and correct errors in the interests of the people, as well as advancing theoretical innovation based on practice.

"The country will rely on its own strength for state and national development, maintain national pride and national self-confidence, and unswervingly follow its own path," Xi said.

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