A senior leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Friday called on Chinese researchers to further promote the development and prosperity of philosophy and social sciences in China.

Li Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the call at a meeting in Beijing on the appraisal of proposed research programs to receive funding from the China National Social Science Foundation in 2003.

Li said philosophy and social sciences are an extremely important part of the work of the CPC. To stay at the forefront of the times and promote the revitalization of the country, the CPC needs the guidance of scientific theories and the support of developed philosophy and social sciences.

He called on researchers to push the study of the important thought of "Three Represents" to new heights and to integrate the thought into philosophy and social sciences.

He also urged vigorously pushing forward the innovation of theories and bringing philosophy and social sciences closer to the general public.

More than 300 celebrated experts in the fields of philosophy and social sciences attended Friday's meeting.

(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2003)