Xi stresses role of county Party chiefs (2)

Chinese President Xi Jinping (back, 3rd L), who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, delivers a keynote speech during the first seminar for county-level Party chiefs at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee in Beijing, China, Jan 12, 2015. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

DEDICATION TO THE PEOPLE

"To be a good party chief you must put the people first," Xi said.

The president recalled that when he was a party chief, he would often cycle to villages to conduct research in the field. He said he sometimes had to carry the bike to cross rivers and that it was "a little bit toilsome", but it brought him closer to the people.

Xi urged officials to be modest about their work and accomplishments, and always respect and listen to public opinion.

County-level Party chiefs are role models within their localities and, thus, should lead by example and put people-oriented programs into practice, Xi said, adding that they should oppose and rectify any undesirable work styles.

The president also underscored that all officials should be responsible and committed.

"Officials must not only care about their position but also their duties. They must not only be after power.

"Party chiefs are responsible for ensuring that a specific working assignment is properly put in place," Xi said

Xi called for enthusiasm and commitment, stressing that officials should be courageous in the face of challenges and difficulties and should actively solve problematic issues rather than skirting around them.

Xi noted that power should only be used to serve the Party, the nation and the people -- not any individual.

Power must be used in a rightful, legal, fair and honest manner, and officials should always be reverent, cautious and self-disciplined, Xi said.

"Being an official and making a fortune are two different roads. You want to be an official, then you must forget any aspirations of becoming rich," Xi said.

Moreover, Xi stressed, local Party chiefs should observe due procedures and listen to the opinions of others. They should also take the lead and uphold the law.

CONSOLIDATE PRIMARY-LEVEL ORGANIZATIONS

Experts said counties have a significant position in China's political system, and strengthened governance at this level would benefit the whole country.

Chu Songyan, a professor with the Chinese Academy of Governance, said the seminar aimed to strengthen governance from the ground up.

"There is a Chinese saying that goes 'to run the country well, you must first start at the county'. [Which is similar to the] adage: 'A stable country comes with the stability of counties and prefectures'," said Chu.

"Whether a county is governed well is reflected by public opinion ," Chu added.

Xie Chuntao, a professor at the Party School, said county Party chiefs were essential to the successful implementation of policies at the grassroots level.

"Sometimes the demands they hear are unreasonable, influenced by immediate interests rather than long-term ones. or partial interests instead of the whole. But they must take all of these opinions into consideration," added Xie.