On Monday, President Hu Jintao highlighted the crucial role of philosophy and the social sciences in building a more affluent society and enhancing national strengths and international competitiveness. 

"The degree of development of philosophy and the social sciences reflects a nation's thinking capabilities, outlook and cultural standing," said Hu.

He was taking part in a panel discussion with social scientists serving as senior political advisors, who are currently in Beijing for the annual full session of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the top advisory body.

The president urged philosophers and social scientists to "unswervingly uphold the guiding status of Marxism," keep pace with the times to constantly make theoretical innovations, and add still greater vitality to Marxism in contemporary China.

"I hope you will firmly bear in mind your social responsibilities, foster a fine style of research and study and work more closely in coordination to actively promote the prosperity and development of philosophy and the social sciences," said Hu.

The same day, other senior Party and state leaders including Premier Wen Jiabao, CPPCC National Committee Chairman Jia Qinglin, Vice Premier Huang Ju and the Party's disciplinary chief Wu Guanzheng also participated in panel discussions with lawmakers and political advisors.

During discussions with lawmakers from north China's Tianjin Municipality, Wen acknowledged that the Yangtze River Delta region in east China, the Pearl River Delta region in south China and the region around the Bohai Sea rim, where the industrial and business center of Tianjin is located, boast remarkable regional advantages and huge potential for development.

He urged the better-developed eastern coastal regions to take the lead in modernization, and to play a vital role in supporting and promoting development of the less-developed central and western regions.

In discussions with lawmakers from the northeastern provinces of Liaoning and Heilongjiang, Huang and Wu respectively spoke about how to conduct in-depth reform of State-owned enterprises, increase employment and re-employment, maintain the enthusiasm of workers and give scope to their creativeness, as well as how to improve the work style of the Party and to prevent and fight corruption.

(Xinhua News Agency March 8, 2005)