The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee stressed strengthening political building and implementing the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress in a two-day "democratic life meeting" that concluded on Tuesday in Beijing.

"The democratic life meeting," a long-time CPC tradition, saw members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee reflect on their own performance and criticize themselves and each other.

Chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, the meeting highlighted unity to implement the important decisions and plans set at the Party's National Congress.

Stressing that this year is an extremely important year in the history of the Party and the country, members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee at the meeting summarized and applauded the achievements China has made this year, saying in the face of a complicated international environment and the challenging and arduous tasks of reform, development and ensuring stability at home, the CPC Central Committee has united and led the whole Party and the Chinese people to tackle the challenges head on, ensuring overall economic and social stability.

The economy has maintained positive growth over the year, with overall stability in employment, stable prices and good performance on the balance of international payments, the meeting noted. China's grain output has exceeded 650 million metric tons for the eighth year in a row, with food security, energy security and people's well-being effectively ensured. The country has also successfully hosted the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, according to the meeting.

All the achievements did not come easily and should be dearly cherished, the meeting noted.

It was unanimously agreed by members of the Political Bureau that the past year has proved the decisive significance of establishing Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and establishing the guiding role of the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. In the next year, the Party has to work together, be pioneering and innovative, so as to lay a good foundation for the comprehensive modernization and great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Upholding central Party leadership

Xi responded to the remarks delivered by every member of the Political Bureau, put forward further requirements and made summarizing remarks, saying the meeting was very effective, which is beneficial to enhance the unity, readiness to meet challenges and cohesion of the CPC central leadership.

He noted that upholding the centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee is one of the founding principles of the ruling party, calling on members of the Political Bureau to maintain a high degree of unity with the Central Committee, keep following the course and the will of the Party, and maintain loyalty to the Party at all times and under all circumstances.

"For a party and a country as big as ours, if the Central Committee can't exercise strong, centralized and unified leadership, party members will act in their own separate ways and nothing can be accomplished," Xi said.

He asked members of the Political Bureau to promptly report to the Central Committee regarding major decisions and issues, as well as important matters in their work.

Improving political competence

Citing political ability as the most important competence for members of the Political Bureau to perform their duties, Xi urged them to continuously improve their capacity for political judgment, thinking and implementation.

He asked members of the Political Bureau to constantly improve their competence in pursuing high-quality development, serving the people, and guarding against and defusing risks.

Xi pointed out that to make the grand blueprint envisioned at the 20th CPC National Congress come true requires officials of all levels to take on responsibilities and make contributions. Officials must carry forward the fighting spirit and surmount the difficulties and challenges on the road ahead to open up new horizons for our cause, Xi stressed.

He urged the members of the Political Bureau to take the lead in strengthening systems thinking and enhancing political awareness, keep the whole country in mind, act in line with the overall interests of the Party and country, and oppose self-centered behavior, decentralism, behavior in disregard of the rules and a silo mentality.

Representing nothing but Chinese people

Xi stressed that officials of the Political Bureau must tackle the chronic problems of pointless formalities and bureaucratism, and encourage officials to go to grassroots-level areas to learn and research the situation and create an environment for grassroots-level officials and common people to speak the truth.

He reemphasized that the Party has always represented the fundamental interests of all Chinese people. It has never represented any individual interest group, power group or privileged stratum.

Members of the Political Bureau should set an example in abiding by the code of honest conduct and taking the lead in fulfilling the political responsibility for the governance of the Party, Xi underscored.

He said members of the Political Bureau should be strict with their family members, relatives and those around them, and never allow them to seek illegitimate interests by taking advantage of their power and influence.

(With input from Xinhua)