V. Unremittingly improving ourselves

People's congresses are organs of state power and important political institutions. Strengthening self-improvement of the Standing Committee, especially its ideological and political development, is of vital importance for doing all the NPC's work well.

On July 1st last year, General Secretary Hu Jintao delivered an important speech at a meeting celebrating the 90th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, in which he systematically reviewed the Party's brilliant history and invaluable experience over the past 90 years and thoroughly expounded major issues pertaining to upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics. This speech has immense and far-reaching significance for comprehensively carrying forward the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics under the new circumstances. The speech focused on expounding the basic meaning and great significance of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, and stressed the need to continue to vigorously expand socialist democratic politics, make greater use of the advantages of our socialist political system, and provide better institutional guarantees for prosperity, development, and lasting political stability of the Party and the country. Members of the Standing Committee and special committees conscientiously studied and deeply understood the guiding principles of the speech in light of the actual work of the NPC, and unanimously agreed that this important speech charted the course for upholding and improving the system of people's congresses and doing the work of the NPC well under the new circumstances. They also agreed that all comrades working at the NPC should consciously bring their thinking and actions in line with the guiding principles of the speech and uphold and improve the system of people's congresses from the strategic perspective of upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics.

1. We need to steadfastly take our own path.

To manage China's affairs well, we need to stay grounded in its realities, rely on the strength of the Chinese people, and follow a development path suited to China's conditions. It is primarily because we blazed the socialist path with Chinese characteristics suited to China's conditions on the basis of an in-depth review of lessons and experience at home and abroad that China - a large developing country with a population of over 1.3 billion, 56 ethnic groups, a weak foundation, and late start in development - has been able to maintain long-term political stability and social harmony, safeguard national unity and ethnic solidarity, and sustain development at a speed rarely seen in the world. The socialist system with Chinese characteristics, including the system of people's congresses, is the fundamental institutional guarantee for the development and progress of contemporary China, and we must cherish it even more and adhere to it for a long time to come. To successfully uphold and improve the system of people's congresses, we need to thoroughly understand the intrinsic nature of China's system of people's congresses; confidently uphold our unique characteristics; be fully aware of the essential differences between this system and Western capitalist countries' systems of political power; remain sober-minded and take a firm and clear stand on major issues of principle; and unwaveringly keep to the socialist path of political development with Chinese characteristics.