At the anniversary gathering of the Communist Party of China (CPC), General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Hu Jintao delivered a speech in which the word "people" appeared 136 times, demonstrating how important the people are to the Party. The CPC should always maintain close ties with the people so that it can serve them and work continuously for their benefit, says an article on xinhuanet.com. Excerpts:

Over the past 90 years, all of the Party's struggles and endeavors have been for the people. Since the day of its founding, the CPC has heroically shouldered the historic mission of uniting and leading the people in achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Putting people first and governing for the people is what the Party is all about, which fully embodies the Party's fundamental purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly. Therefore, we must always give priority to the interests of the people and make sure that the aim and outcome of all our work realize, uphold and expand the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people and protect their economic, political, cultural, and social rights and interests in accordance with the law.

The CPC has wholeheartedly served the people. Firmly relying on the people, the CPC has fully tapped the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of the people and all sectors of society, drawing on their wisdom and strength, which has won the CPC the full trust and support of the people.

CPC officials at all levels must bear in mind that the power is given by the people and can only be used to protect their interests. Putting the people first and governing for the people fully embodies the Party's fundamental purpose of serving the people and the people are the ultimate yardstick to guide, assess, and test all the governance activities of the CPC.

To strike a balance between the Party and the people is an issue we must attach great importance to. History has shown that maintaining close ties with the people is the Party's biggest political asset, while alienation from the people poses the greatest risk to the CPC. Therefore we must always place the people's interests before everything else and exercise power for the people, identify ourselves with the people and work for their interests.