President Hu Jintao on Friday urged the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) to strengthen its grassroots organizations and serve all of the country's youth.
During a keynote speech at a rally in Beijing to mark the CYLC's 90th founding anniversary, he said CYLC organizations at all levels should adapt to new situations in order to better serve young people, as well as safeguard their legal rights and interests.
CYLC organizations should uphold the "right" political direction, implement the CPC's policies in their work and guide young people to follow the CPC down the "road of socialism with Chinese characteristics," according to Hu.
The event was attended by all Standing Committee members of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.
President Hu, who served as first secretary of the CYLC Central Committee Secretariat from 1984 to 1985, said that current generation of Chinese youths has both good fortune and great responsibility.
Although China's achievement has attracted the world's attention, it is still the largest developing country at the primary stage of socialism, Hu said.
There are still risks and challenges along the way of the country's socialist modernization and people's common prosperity, the president told youth delegates attending the ceremony at the Great Hall of People.
The president made five proposals to China's young people. Firstly, he expressed hope that youths can uphold their lofty ideals. The young people should believe the socialist system with Chinese characteristics has enormous superiority and strong vitality, he said.
Secondly, young people should study hard to learn all kinds of knowledge and practical capabilities, he urged. Thirdly, he suggested youths work hard and avoid basing their lives on comfort.
Fourthly, the president said he hopes young people maintain enthusiasm for innovation and creativity and, lastly, that they can maintain noble and honorable morals and behavior.
Hu urged CYLC cadres and organs to organize more activities with more appeal to young citizens, and strengthen the youth league's construction to increase the league's influence among China's youth.