Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, urged the Party on Thursday to learn from the lofty demeanor and venerable conduct of Hu Yaobang (1915-89), a former prominent leader of the Party, and advance all undertakings with an indomitable fighting spirit.

Xi, who is also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the appeal as the CPC Central Committee held a symposium in Beijing to mark the 110th anniversary of Hu's birth.

Hu, a native of Liuyang county in Central China's Hunan province, joined the CPC when he was 18. From June 1981 to January 1987, he served as chairman of the CPC Central Committee and then subsequently as general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

In a speech delivered at the symposium, Xi lauded Hu as a time-tested and loyal communist fighter, a great proletarian revolutionary and statesman, an outstanding political worker of the military, and a prominent leader who long held key positions within the Party.

He also highlighted Hu's "immortal contributions" to national independence and liberation, socialist revolution and construction, and the drive for reform and opening-up as well as socialist modernization.

Throughout his 60-year revolutionary career, Hu embodied a deep devotion to the people and a commitment to the public good, a pioneering spirit of seeking truth from facts and blazing new trails, the fine qualities of pragmatism and the courage to shoulder responsibilities and the lofty style of fairness, integrity and self-discipline.

"He remains a role model worthy of our eternal emulation," Xi said.

Xi emphasized that Hu held lofty aspirations and demonstrated unwavering revolutionary will throughout his long years of tireless struggle for communism.

All Party members must follow his example by firming up their ideals and convictions and remaining unswervingly loyal to the Party, Xi said, calling upon CPC members to actively dedicate themselves to Chinese modernization and strive hard to realize both lofty and common ideals.

Xi also highlighted Hu's emphasis on seeking truth from facts as well as his key contributions to adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and to setting things right in the Party's organizational line.

The whole Party should emulate Hu's example in upholding the principle of seeking truth from facts, remain committed to the pursuit of truth, consciously arm themselves with the Party's innovative theories and use them to guide practice and advance the work, he said.

Meanwhile, Xi called on Party members to learn from the late leader in standing at the forefront of the times, staying bold in pursuing reform and innovation, and deepening reform comprehensively with the spirit of tackling tough challenges.

Xi also stressed that CPC members must follow Hu's example by always keeping the people in their hearts and working for the public good.

"Our Party's greatest political strength lies in its close ties with the people, and the people are the deepest source of confidence for the Party in governing the country."

"All Party members must bear in mind that this country is its people; the people are the country," Xi said, while reiterating the need to uphold the principle of putting the people first, maintain close bonds with the people, and consciously act in accordance with the Party's fundamental purpose.

Xi also pointed out that Hu always attached great importance to rectifying Party conduct and set a shining example in carrying forward the Party's fine traditions and style.

"The Party's conduct represents its image. It bears on public support and the very survival of the Party," he said.

Xi stressed that all Party members, especially leading officials, should maintain integrity and set an example in every respect, persistently implement the eight-point decision on improving work conduct, and firmly resist misconduct and corruption.

xuwei@chinadaily.com.cn