Li Changchun (L), member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, shakes hands with a deputy while attending the panel discussion of the deputies from south China's Guangdong Province to the Fifth Session of the Tenth National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, March 6, 2007. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- A senior leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC) called for more efforts here on Tuesday in the building of harmonious culture that is based on the socialist core value system.

    "The socialist core value system is a powerful ideological weapon that absorbs wisdom and power from all sides, and we must stick to the socialist core value system in developing the socialist market economy," said Li Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

    Li made the remarks while joining a panel meeting of legislators from south China's Guangdong Province at the ongoing annual session of the Tenth National People's Congress (NPC), the top legislature.

    The concept of "socialist core value system" was publicized for the first time at the Sixth Plenum of the 16th CPC Central Committee last October, at which the CPC highlighted the importance of creating a "socialist harmonious society."

    The Party explained the value system should consist of Marxism, socialism with Chinese characteristics, patriotism, the spirit of reform and innovation and the socialist sense of honor and disgrace.

    The socialist core value system is fundamental to build harmonious culture and lay the moral and ideological foundations to consolidate social harmony. Such an idea is a major theoretical development at the plenum, Li said.

    The Guangdong lawmakers were discussing the government work report delivered by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at the opening of the NPC annual session Monday morning.

    Li Changchun gave his consent to the report and spoke highly of the achievements in Guangdong's economic and social development in 2006.