China's leading newspaper, the People's Daily, publishes an editorial on July 1, the 84th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), urging the 69 million-member party to maintain its "advanced nature" and serve the Chinese people wholeheartedly.

The editorial entitled "Always Walk in Front of the Times" says that "the party is built for the public and exercises state power for the people," a claim it has made throughout its 84-year history and 56 years in power.

It says the party's history shows that it has actually served " the people wholeheartedly."

The fundamental reason behind the "great victory" of the party's "socialist construction and revolution" is that the party has a theory that keeps "abreast of the times" and the capability to put it into effect, the article says.

"To maintain an 'advanced nature' is the main necessity of our party in order to survive and get on with its pursuits, which in turn is key for the country in its course of achieving prosperity. "

The article says that the campaign to maintain the party's "advanced nature" is vital to its efforts to realize China's reform, opening-up and modernization, as well as the public's well-being and the country's long-term stability.

It is also important whether the party can stay in power steadily and effectively, it says.

With China at a critical juncture, the editorial says, "the key in this vital period lies within the Party itself".

It concludes by urging all party members, who run a country of 1.3 billion people, to be aware of "the historic responsibility on its shoulders" and to live up to the expectations of the Chinese and always "walk in front of the times."

Source: Xinhua