Xi urges CPC members to keep China red

SHIJIAZHUANG - President Xi Jinping has urged 85 million members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to work hard and serve the people wholeheartedly to "ensure the color of red China will never change."

Party members should improve their work styles to withstand tests the Party faces and keep the CPC's nature unchanged, said Xi, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

President Xi Jinping (3rd R) holds a discussion meeting with local cadres and representatives of the public at Xibaipo, an old revolutionary base in Pingshan county, North China's Hebei province, on July 12, 2013. Xi made an inspection tour of Hebei province from July 11 to July 12. [Photo/Xinhua]

He was speaking during a two-day inspection tour in north China's Hebei province, which concluded on Friday.

During the trip, Xi visited Xibaipo, an old revolutionary base, where the CPC leadership were based from May 1948 to early 1949 to draw the blueprint of the new country and prepare for the CPC's new role as the ruling party.

Late Chinese leader Mao Zedong's remarks on Party members' work styles prior to the founding of New China in 1949 still have far-reaching ideological and historical significance, he said.

At an important meeting of the CPC in March 1949, Mao called on the whole Party to resolutely carry forward the work style of displaying modesty and prudence while guarding against conceit and impetuosity, and resolutely carry forward the style of working hard and plain living.

Xi said the comments bear lessons learnt from thousands of years of Chinese history, a summary of the process of the CPC's growth, and profound thoughts on keeping the Party's advanced nature and purity as well as on maintaining prolonged stability of an upcoming state power.

Xi said he had been to Xibaipo many times. "Each time, I came with a lot of respect and left with many thoughts."

Calling China's revolutionary history the "best nutrient," Xi said studying and recalling such history can bring "positive energy" to Party members.