The study and implementation of the "Three Represents" thought should be brought to a new high, so as to guarantee that the CPC will do a better job in leading the people to push forward the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, said Hu in a speech to a three-day symposium on the "Three Represents" thought, which opened in Beijing Tuesday morning to mark the 82nd founding anniversary of the CPC.

Members of the CPC's top decision-making body, the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Wu Bangguo, Jia Qinglin, Zeng Qinghong, Huang Ju, Wu Guanzheng, Li Changchun and Luo Gan attended the symposium, which was presided over by Li Changchun.

Presented by Hu's predecessor, Jiang Zemin, who is now chairman of the Central Military Commission, in February 2000, the "Three Represents" thought states that the CPC must always represent "the development trend of China's advanced productive forces, the orientation of China's advanced culture and the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the Chinese people".

This important thought is Marxism developed to suit China's reality in the 21st century, as well as a fundamental guideline for the CPC and the entire Chinese people to learn from the past and advance into the future, keep pace with the times and build a well-off society in an all-round way, Hu told the symposium.

Hu said the essence of this important thought is that the CPC should dedicate itself to the interests of the public and govern for the people's benefit.

More than 800 people, including leading officials from the central authorities and all provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, commanding officers of major army and armed police units based in Beijing, as well as experts and scholars, participated in the symposium.

(Xinhua News Agency July 1, 2003)