The leading officials of the Communist Party of China and all Party members should play an exemplary role in abiding by the Constitution and laws, said Premier Wen Jiabao at a press conference Sunday.

In response to a question by a German journalist about the amended Constitution, Wen said the Constitution and laws will not be changed according to changes of state leaders or changes in the leaders' attention.

He stressed two principles that the Party leads the people in making the Constitution and laws, and leading Party officials and all Party members should play an exemplary role in implementing the Constitution and laws.

The amendment to the Constitution is of great significance for China's development, he said, adding that it had just passed at the national legislature's annual session with an overwhelming support, which is a reflection of the will of the entire people.

He highlighted the incorporation into the Constitution the important thought of "Three Respects" together with Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought and Deng Xiaoping theory as the guiding ideology for the Party and the nation, saying that it has profound and far-reaching significance. 

(Xinhua News Agency March 14, 2004)