Jiang, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while addressing the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection's fifth plenary session.

Wei Jianxing, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, presided over the session.

The session was also attended by other senior Chinese Party leaders Li Peng, Zhu Rongji, Li Ruihuan, Hu Jintao and Li Lanqing.

Jiang reviewed the country's efforts to fight corruption during the past years, saying that important experience has been obtained. He urged all Party members to bear the awareness of the importance of the anti-corruption campaign and persevere to carry through the drive.

He also noted that the endeavor to fight corruption and build a clean government is a long-lasting and arduous task, which should be carried out in the whole process of reform and opening up.

He stressed that three major jobs in the drive should be done well, namely, educating officials of self-discipline, investigating major cases and correcting the malpractice in various departments and sectors. Problems which the masses complain about the most should be dealt with in time, Jiang reiterated.

Jiang also reviewed the nearly 80 years of the CPC's history. In the first 28 years, the Party led the people to fight for the founding of New China. In the latest more than 50 years, the CPC has played the role of a ruling party, leading the people for socialist construction.

Jiang emphasized that the shift of the position and responsibility of the Party and those of Party members have brought up a new task for Party building.

Jiang warned that it is more difficult for the party in power to improve Party building and management, and this has been proved by both history and experience.

He urged Party members to guard against the negative effect of the shift in position and always adhere to the Party's tenet to maintain the Party's vigor.

Jiang noted that the prominent problem for a party in power is how to ensure that Party members and officials have a correct understanding of interests.

He said that a qualified Party member should serve the people heart and soul, and never act against the will and benefit of the masses.

The Party's anti-corruption drive represents the will of the broad masses. Party committees at all levels should actively seek effective ways and methods to supervise officials and educate them in an effort to prevent the occurrence of corruption from the source, he said.

Jiang also called for more stringent enforcement of laws and regulations, pointing out that anti-corruption should be considered during the promulgation of major reform policies, laws and regulations, and the socialist democratic political system and legal system should be strengthened.

(Xinhua 12/27/2000)