"Chinese artists and literary workers shoulder the solemn historical mission of building an advanced socialist culture with Chinese characteristics," said Li, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, during a group discussion of artists and literary workers of the 10th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

The 10th CPPCC National Committee, China's top political advisory body, is currently in its first annual full session here.

By using the important thought of "Three Represents" to command arts and literature, he explained, it means to make Marxism-Leninism Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thought of "Three Represents" as the guide and to persist in the orientation of serving the people and socialism and in the principle of "letting a hundred flowers blossom and a hundred schools of thought contend."

Artists and literary workers should go deep into the realities, the only source of inspiration and creation, and humbly learn from the masses of people and judge art and literary workers by the criterion of whether or not the masses of people like them, Li said.

He also stressed the importance of respecting artists and literary workers and of bringing their initiative and creativity into full play.

(Xinhua News Agency March 7, 2003)