Vice President Zeng Qinghong has said the construction of a harmonious society and new countryside must be priorities.

Zeng, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour of eastern China's Shandong province.

CPC committees should shoulder their responsibilities in building a harmonious society whose benefits everyone can share, he said.

Zeng stressed the importance of scientific development in building a harmonious society.

Regarding the countryside, Zeng stressed the need to boost rural incomes and solve rural issues.

He also spoke of the need to beef up the party's governance capacity.

Visiting firms in Shandong, he encouraged state-owned enterprises and private companies to produce own brand, high-quality goods and protect their own intellectual property rights.

(Xinhua News Agency November 27, 2006)