BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to learn from the past, stressing that the socialist path with Chinese characteristics must be unswervingly followed and the Party must serve the people, "heart and soul."

Xi, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, made the comments while speaking at a group learning activity held by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Tuesday afternoon, according to an official statement issued Wednesday.

"History is the best textbook," he said, calling it a "compulsory course" for senior officials to review the experiences accrued over the past 92 years of the CPC's existence and since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 in a bid to further the country's development along the socialist path.

Tuesday's group learning activity, which was organized under a theme of socialist theories and practice with Chinese characteristics, was intended to boost officials' awareness about China's reform, development and stability, Xi said.

Xi said that in its 92 years of history, the CPC completed the New Democratic Revolution and the Socialist Revolution and later built a socialist country, carrying out the reform and opening up policy. Now, the Party and the country are advancing toward completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

"In a bid to develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, the Party must follow its own path, conform to the trends of the whole world, represent the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of Chinese people, strengthen Party construction and consolidate confidence in socialism with Chinese characteristics," he said.

Specifically, Xi said, the achievements China has made in just three decades are without precedent and should be attributed to the road it chose to pursue, such as socialism with Chinese characteristics. Moreover, it has kept pace with the times while following this "road."

He then stressed that the fact that the Party basks in public support should be attributed to the Party's role in representing the fundamental interests of the vast majority of Chinese people. For this reason, the CPC should uphold the people's interests as its supreme calling.

The Party should also manage itself strictly and in an innovative manner, Xi said.

Xi finally reiterated that Chinese people should have firm confidence in the theory, road and system of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

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