The history has shown that youth campaigns in China must be adhered to the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Li Changchun, member the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, said Friday.

He made the remarks at a ceremony in memory of the 70th anniversary of the "December 9" campaign and the 60th anniversary of the "December 1" campaign, two major patriotic campaigns launched by young people in modern China.

In his speech, the senior Party official urged young people to combine their ideal with the fate of the nation and blend their personal undertakings with the fundamental interests of the people, so as to be capable of making contribution to the nation and the people when they grow up.

Li was followed by other speakers including veterans who participated in the two campaigns, and Liu Kai, chairman of the All-China Federation of Students.

Other senior officials including Wang Zhaoguo, Liu Yunshan and Chen Zhili also attended the gathering which was presided by Zhou Qiang, first secretary of the Chinese Communist Youth League.

(Xinhua News Agency December 10, 2005)