BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- The "scientific concept of development" is an ideological advance made by the Communist Party of China (CPC) under the circumstances of a socialist market economy, in its understanding of the laws of economic and social development.

    On behalf of Hu Jintao, the general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Zeng Qinghong urged senior officials to study and realize the "scientific concept of development" Monday at the opening of a seminar of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, which was attended by provincial- and ministerial-level leaders, including civilian officials and army officers, to study the new concept.

    Hu and Zeng are both members of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau.

    According to Zeng, the new concept of development has been developed on the basis of relevant theories of China's three generations of leaders -- Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Zemin. He called it an ideological leap forward for the ruling Party, and said it is of historic significance for China.

    The new concept stresses people-centered development that is comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable. It refers to coordinated development between urban and rural areas, among different regions, between economic and social development, between the development of man and nature, and between domestic development and opening to the outside world, Zeng said.

    In raising the new concept, the Party aims to blaze new trails for development and solve outstanding problems in development, he said.

    By coordinated development, Zeng noted, China will bring about social stability and harmony, and enhance its capability to deal with risks.

    In China's modernization drive, it is vital to maintain the growth of gross domestic product (GDP), but GDP itself is not enough for assessment of development, Zeng said.

    Vice-Premier Huang Ju, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, attended the opening ceremony.

    Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan made a special report at the opening of the seminar, which was presided over by Liu Yunshan. Both Zeng and Liu are members of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau. Enditem