A live image of Party General Secretary Hu Jintao is seen on a giant screen inside the Great Hall of the People at the opening of the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. Hu's keynote report was broadcast live yesterday morning on TV, radio and the Internet.[AP]

Party leader Hu Jintao's report delivered to the 17th National Congress yesterday morning is in line with the development of the times and interests of the people, senior Chinese leaders said yesterday.

Wu Bangguo, Zeng Qinghong, Li Changchun and Luo Gan, all members of the Political Bureau Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, aired their views at panel discussions with Party delegates yesterday afternoon.

Hu's report is farsighted, resourceful, practical and has addressed all the crucial issues faced by the Party at the current critical stage of reform and development, Wu Bangguo, who joined a discussion with delegates from Anhui Province, said.

"The 16th CPC Central Committee headed by Hu Jintao has led the nation to break new ground in the cause of building socialism with Chinese characteristics and in adapting Marxism to Chinese conditions," Wu said.

He said building Chinese socialism is the fundamental reason for the country's achievements in the past 29 years of reform and opening-up and will lead to more victories in its building of a moderately prosperous society.

In his report, Hu cited the miraculous growth of China's economy from "once on the verge of collapse" to the fourth largest in the world.

The Scientific Outlook on Development, Wu said, is a continuation and development of the collective wisdom of the previous three generations of CPC leadership. "It is an important guiding principle we must stick to in China's social and economic development," he said.

During a discussion with delegates from Jiangxi Province, Zeng Qinghong said the Party is "promising" and its cause enjoys a rosy prospect.

The Party should remain united under the leadership generated at the CPC congress, check corruption, improve Party building, and keep pace with the times to score greater achievements, Zeng said.

Li Changchun stressed the importance of cultural development during a discussion with the Guangdong delegation.

"The report will provide a strong ideological guarantee, spiritual impetus and cultural conditions to stimulate both officials and the masses in building a moderately prosperous society," he said.

The priority for the moment is to study, publicize and implement the essence of the Party congress, Li said. "We should step up building the socialist value system and harmonious culture, and unite all forces to promote our cause of building socialism with Chinese characteristics," he said.

He added that the Party will continue to underscore reform and innovation in the cultural sector to "maximize creativity and vitality".

Luo Gan also stressed social harmony, stability and implementation of the Scientific Outlook on Development to maintain balanced development.

"We must prevent and reduce social conflicts right from the source, attach great importance to the conflicts and problems arising out of the social and economic development ... and strive for building a harmonious society," he told delegates from Shandong Province.

Xinhua

(China Daily 10/16/2007 page5)