Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, yesterday called on all Party members to study the selected works of former Party chief Jiang Zemin in line with a decision made by the CPC Central Committee.

"The publication and issue of the Selected Works of Jiang Zemin is a major event in the political life of the Party and State," said Hu, who is also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, at a meeting on studying the works in Beijing.

Other top leaders Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Zeng Qinghong, Huang Ju, Wu Guanzheng, Li Changchun and Luo Gan also attended the meeting.

Hu urged all localities and departments to "concretely" implement the CPC Central Committee decision to study the works, noting studying the Selected Works of Jiang Zemin is an important task of the Party's ideological and political work, and the theoretical study and training of Party members and cadres at present and in the coming period.

Studying the Selected Works of Jiang Zemin "should be included in the training programme for Party members and cadres above the county head level," said Hu.

Hu called the works "the best textbook" for studying the important thought of the "Three Represents" in an in-depth way, and for further pushing forward "the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics" and Party building.

As the core of the CPC third-generation leadership, Jiang initiated the thoughts that the CPC must always represent the development requirements of China's advanced social productive forces, the progressive course of China's advanced culture, and the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the Chinese people, known as the "Three Represents."

Hu said the important thought of "Three Represents," which reflect the common aspiration of the Chinese people and the spirit of development of today's world and China, is a guiding principle to be observed in the long term.

He said the selected works vividly recorded the historical process of China's development under the CPC third-generation leadership with Jiang Zemin as the core.

Hu said it was a period when China experienced marked growth in comprehensive national strength, people's rising living standards, the return of Hong Kong and Macao, long-term social stability and unity and rising international influence.

Reviewing this period of history is of great significance to strengthening people's determination and trust in pursuing the socialist road with Chinese characteristics, he said.

Hu said the works summarize valuable experiences of the Party in pushing forward the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

They also reflect new major theoretical achievements the Party has made through combining the basic principles of Marxism with contemporary practice in China and features of the times.

The Selected Works of Jiang Zemin, compiled by the Party Literature Editing Committee, has been published and issued across the country. They mainly consist of Jiang's major works from the late 1980s through the early period of the 21st century.

Jiang, born on August 17, 1926, was former Chinese president, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.

Source: China Daily