Chinese official: Scientific development can help offset economic downturn

Special Report:Global Financial Crisis

BEIJING, Dec. 7 (Chinese media) -- A senior Chinese official

on Sunday said an ongoing campaign to educate Communist Party of China (CPC)

cadres on "scientific development" should provide the impetus for the country to

cope with current economic difficulties.

Li Yuanchao, head of the Organization Department of

the CPC Central Committee, said this was desirable because the ultimate goal of

the campaign was that China achieve sustainable, broad-based development under

the leadership of the CPC.

Li made the remarks at a meeting, at which a group of

inspectors sent by the CPC Central Committee reported how Party members and

officials nationwide had studied and implemented the Scientific Outlook on

Development.

The Scientific Outlook on Development represents

important guiding principles for China's economic and social development. It was

initiated by the CPC in 2003 and written into the CPC's constitution during the

17th National Congress of the Party in 2007.

The principles emphasize a people-first approach,

while requiring comprehensive and sustainable development with a dual emphasis

on speed and quality.

In September, the CPC launched an 18-month

educational campaign, asking all Party cadres and officials to study the

principles while applying them in their own work.

Li said China was facing a severe challenge as the

global financial crisis continued to exert a negative impact on the economy.

The government has launched policies to cope with a

possible economic downturn, such as those boosting market demand, stabilizing

financial systems, improving public welfare and maintaining social stability.

Li urged CPC cadres to take the lead and work harder

for optimal implementation of the policies.