Xi urges CPC members to build firm ideals

Encouragement sent in reply to letter from 30 young teachers and students

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has encouraged the country's Party members, especially the younger generation, to faithfully study Marxist theories and build firm ideals and convictions.

Xi, who is also China's president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remark in his reply to a letter from 30 Party members volunteering at an exhibition on The Communist Manifesto at Fudan University in Shanghai.

The exhibition was adapted from the former residence of Chen Wangdao, a late scholar and educator who a century ago completed the first Chinese translation of the groundbreaking work by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Chen also served as president of Fudan University from 1952 to 1977.

In the letter, made public on Tuesday, Xi said Chen's translation played an important role in guiding many people with lofty ideals to build the ideal of communism and devote themselves to national liberation and rejuvenation.

Xi commended the work of the 30 Party members, who are young teachers and students, as very meaningful as they endeavor to tell Chen's story in seeking truth and popularizing Marxist theories.

Only with a firm belief can one make a long journey, he said, adding that it is even more important for Party members to unswervingly uphold ideals and convictions and strive ceaselessly in the new era.

Xi called on CPC members, especially young members, to study the history of the Party, the People's Republic of China and China's reform and opening-up as well as the development of socialism. They should build firm convictions and ideals during the process of learning, thinking, practicing, comprehending and fulfilling the Party's original aspiration and mission in remaining hardworking and enterprising, he said.

He added that they should also contribute their wisdom and strength to the fulfillment of the country's "Two Centenary Goals" and the realization of the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. Xi's reply boosted the morale of faculty and students at Fudan University.

"Each generation has its own mission in history. For this generation, their personal destiny is inseparably linked with the nation's development, and they are the ones to build a stronger country," said Li Ran, dean of the university's school of Marxism and tutor for the volunteer team.

The membership of the CPC had exceeded 91.9 million by the end of 2019, which was up by 1.32 million compared with the previous year, the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee said on Tuesday.