Call for 'Red Boat Spirit' a noble goal, official says

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, attends a symposium on the Red Boat Spirit in Jiaxing, East China's Zhejiang province, Dec 4, 2017. (Photo/Xinhua)

Wang Huning, at a seminar, pushes for Xi's instructions to be carried out

General Secretary Xi Jinping's instructions on carrying forward revolutionary spirit such as that embodied in "Red Boat Spirit" should be implemented earnestly amid the Party's efforts to strive toward fulfilling the goals set at the 19th CPC National Congress, a senior Party official said on Monday.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remark while addressing a seminar in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, on carrying forward the revolutionary spirit.

Xi, also China's president, had mentioned the idea of Red Boat Spirit and elaborated on its meaning and value during his inspection tour to Jiaxing in late October, said Wang, a member of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat. He said Xi stressed that Red Boat Spirit should be carried forward.

In 1921, the first CPC National Congress reconvened in a red boat on South Lake in Jiaxing after it was interrupted by authorities in what was then the French concession in Shanghai.

On Oct 31, the CPC's newly elected top leadership, headed by Xi, visited South Lake, the new leadership vowed there to stay true to the Party's original aspirations and serve the people. It was Xi's first domestic trip after the 19th CPC National Congress. The congress elected a new CPC Central Committee and drew a blueprint for the country's development in upcoming decades.

"We cannot forget the road that we have taken no matter how far we march," Xi said during the visit.

Red Boat Spirit is the origin of China's revolutionary spirit, and it also reflects the original aspirations of the CPC members, Wang said.

A symbol of creativity, hard work and devotion, Red Boat Spirit is the great spiritual power that encourages the Party to keep working hard and developing, Wang said, adding it is a valuable spiritual wealth for the Party's governance.

Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era should be highlighted in the process of learning Red Boat Spirit, he said.

Wang urged more efforts to publicize and learn revolutionary spirit, enhance theoretical research and elaboration and lead the people to engage in the great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era.