The Organization Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee has set up a hotline for its members who move from place to place and don't want to lose contact with the party.

The hotline is aimed at providing consultative services and assistance to migrant party members, the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee said on Monday.

The department also required local party branches to set up similar hotlines to ensure that "party members can reach the party wherever they go".

The department announced hotlines at organization departments of 31 provincial, regional and municipal CPC committees.

The CPC currently has more than 70 million Party members. Most government-related organizations have party branches but there are fewer in foreign or private companies and organizations.

For members who move overseas or work in private companies, maintaining connections with the party has become a problem. It's not known just how many party members have moved to these places.

According to the party constitution, CPC members must belong to a party branch and participate in the party's regular activities. Members who don't participate in these activities for six consecutive months or don't pay membership fees without sound reasons can be deemed to have voluntarily abandoned their party membership.

(Xinhua News Agency February 13, 2007)