Officials told to better fix problems

President calls for concrete progress in leading people to achieve prosperity

President Xi Jinping has called on young and middle-aged officials to strengthen their capabilities in solving practical problems in order to tackle the current complex situation and complete arduous tasks.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remark in a speech in Beijing on Saturday at the opening of a training session for young and middle-aged officials at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee.

He stressed that advances have always been made throughout history by addressing problems, noting that by leading the people in the revolution, construction and reform, the Party has always focused on solving practical problems in China.

Staying focused on solving problems and making breakthroughs through handling practical problems is one of the most important experiences that enabled the Party and the State to realize historic achievements and changes since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, Xi said.

Xi called for concrete achievements in leading the people to achieve prosperity through hard work, stressing better incomes, employment, education, social security, medical insurance, medical services and housing for the people.

External instability and uncertainty are on the rise as the world today experiences major changes unseen in a century, he said.

China has attained major, strategic outcomes in its fight to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, but renewed, lasting efforts are required to secure a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and eradicating poverty across the country.

Xi said efforts are needed to ensure stability on six fronts－employment, the financial sector, foreign trade, foreign investment, domestic investment and expectations－while maintaining security in six areas－job security, basic living needs, operation of market entities, food and energy, stable industrial and supply chains, and the normal functioning of primary-level governments.

Xi encouraged officials to face up to problems, be self-motivated and competent, and deliver good results, thus fixing problems and tackling difficulties one after another.

He asked Party organizations at all levels to improve targeted measures for training younger officials and clarify approaches for nurturing talents, therefore making them more capable of solving problems.

Improving capabilities

Xi identified seven kinds of capabilities to be improved－politics, research and study, scientific decision-making, advancing in-depth reforms, emergency responses, engaging with the people and implementing policies.

To boost their political capabilities, younger officials must stay true to the correct political direction, continue to improve their political sense and awareness, and make early and insightful responses in accordance with the situation, he said.

They should also hold the Party's political discipline and rules in awe and respect, bolster self-restraint politically and improve their understanding of Marxism, he added.

In order to improve their ability to conduct research and study, officials should continuously hold surveys, remain close to the public, thoroughly analyze the materials, and then produce, carry out and evaluate policies and detailed measures, Xi said.

To bolster officials' capabilities in emergency response and risk awareness, Xi said evaluating a risk is key to gaining strategic control over the situation, and officials must keep alert and be ready to deal with risks or challenges of any kind and try to become experts in their respective fields.

Speaking on strengthening officials' capabilities in terms of engaging with the people, Xi said officials should further honor the principle of "from the people, to the people", always keep in mind people's safety and well-being, effectively handle the public's urgent and dire needs, and guide them to better lives through hard work.

Young officials should also improve their capability to implement policies, Xi said, calling for officials to be down-to-earth, take the lead in actions, and break new ground by solving difficult problems.