Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), meets with representatives who attended the convention to celebrate the 70th anniverary of All-China Journalists Association and the 8th Journalists Day in Beijing, Nov. 8, 2007. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese officials have marked the eighth Journalist's Day and 70th anniversary of the All-China Journalists Association (ACJA) on Thursday, by calling on all Chinese journalists to closely follow the long-standing principle of "always serving the public".

    "All news people should devote themselves to reflect the will of the Party and aspirations of the people, closely following the pulse of the time, put together the strength of the whole nation, and make new accomplishments for the socialist cause with Chinese characteristics," said Liu Yunshan, head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China's (CPC) Central Committee.

Liu Yunshan, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, addresses the convention celebrating the 70th anniverary of All-China Journalists Association in Beijing, Nov. 8, 2007. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Chinese journalists should uphold the Party congress spirit, create a strong atmosphere for emancipating the mind, and closely follow the scientific outlook on development, Liu told newsmen at a ACJA commemoration meeting on Thursday.

    He asked reporters to consolidate aspiring and healthy mainstream opinions from the public, enhance relationship with the masses, serve the people while going among the public, expand media coverage and influence by following the rule of journalism, promote a professional spirit, and abide by occupational ethics so as to safeguard media credibility.

    The ACJA, established on Nov. 8, 1937, in then foreign-occupied Shanghai, had made a great contribution to "fighting against enemies with pens as a weapon" and in the country's reform and opening-up.

    Liu ordered local CPC committees to "protect journalists' legal rights and strengthen self-discipline of the sector".

    Li Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, met some of China's one million news workers who attended the commemoration meeting.