Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping has called for government and party officials to maintain their political integrity and lead the people to overcome difficulties amid hardships.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (1st L), also member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, talks to a vegetable vendor in a market during his visit to Tianjin Municipality Jan. 18, 2009.

Xi, 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 to the northern coastal city of Tianjin from Sunday to Monday.

Party committees at all levels must make efforts to improve the awareness of political responsibility of officials, and make sure the officials would abide by party disciplines and political ethics, and preserve integrity in their work, Xi said.

He urged officials at all levels to study President Hu Jintao's speech at last Tuesday's plenary session of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI).

Officials must keep in close contact with the public, prioritize people's interests during their work, and address their needs, he said.

Xi called for officials to ask the people for advice and suggestions, and try harder to take practical measures to tackle public difficulties.

He said officials should be the first to bear hardships, but the last to enjoy comforts.

Extravagance and waste during work must be opposed to enhance official's capability in fighting corruption, he said.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (1st R, front), also member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, talks to teachers and students on campus of Tianjin University during his visit to Tianjin Municipality Jan. 18, 2009.

(Xinhua News Agency January 21, 2009)