The newly amended Constitution of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) has fully reflected the Scientific Outlook on Development, said a spokesman with the secretariat of the 17th CPC National Congress on Thursday.

The Scientific Outlook on Development is enshrined in the general program of the Party Constitution, which defines it as "a scientific theory that is in the same line as Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thought of Three Represents", the spokesman said.

The Party Constitution consists of a general program, outlining the characters, objectives, guidelines and principles of the Party, and 11 chapters, which stipulate the rights and duties of Party members, cadres, organizations, Party emblem and flag.

"It is an important guiding principle for China's economic and social development and a major strategic thought that must be upheld and applied in developing socialism with Chinese characteristics," said the amendment to the Party constitution.

"To study the Scientific Outlook on Development" is also written in the the revisions to the duties Party members and cadres should fulfil and the main tasks of the grassroots Party organizations, the spokesman said.

The amendment was adopted at the conclusion of the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Oct. 21 and the full text was released by Xinhua on Thursday.

The political catchphrase was formally put forward by the 16th CPC Central Committee at its third plenary session in October 2003. It stresses people-centered development that is comprehensive, balanced and sustainable.

It refers to coordinated development between urban and rural areas, among different regions, between economic and social development, between the development of man and nature, and between domestic development and opening-up to the outside world.

(Xinhua News Agency October 26, 2007)