The General Political Department of the Chinese People's Liberation Army has called for a thorough study on the "socialist concept of honor and disgrace" as described by Chinese President Hu Jintao on March 4.

The army and the armed forces should study the meaning of the concept and learn how to tell right from wrong, good from evil, beauty from ugliness, a circular said.

The department also called on the army to advocate this concept through its media, and to apply it to their daily work.

President Hu Jintao pinpointed the importance of developing an "advanced socialist culture" when meeting with members of the 10th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's political advisory body.

The concept, which stresses the value of patriotism, hard work and plain living, belief in science, consciousness of serving the people, solidarity, honesty and credibility, and observation of the law, is a perfect amalgamation of traditional Chinese values and modern virtues.

(Xinhua News Agency March 17, 2006)