We should remember China's national situation in the primary stage of socialism, says an editorial in People's Daily. An excerpt follows:

Remembering the national situation of China while having a cool-minded idea of the issues to be tackled in the new century is one of the key ideas expounded by President Hu Jintao at the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee's Party School on June 25.

Sticking to the principle of emancipating minds, seeking truth from facts and learning from history, the Party made the exposition that China was at the primary stage of socialism and would remain so for a long time to come. This scientific inference, of remarkable significance both theoretically and practically, should be learned by heart.

China has achieved a great deal in economic reform, opening-up and modernization since 1978 and people are well-off overall.

However, many challenges still exist: The productive power is not advanced enough; the innovative capability is not developed; the development in urban and rural areas is not balanced; the unemployment pressure is huge; and the conflicts between economic growth and environmental protection are worsening.

All these concerns suggest that China remains a developing country and the primary conflict of society remains that between the ever-growing needs of the people in material and cultural terms and the social production lagging far behind the needs. Therefore, all CPC members must remember the national situation of China in the primary stage of socialism, have a clear idea about the importance, longevity and hardship in establishing a well-off society, modernizing the country and developing socialism in China.

China is standing at a point from which it can see opportunities and challenges unprecedented in history. To get ourselves strong enough for both of them, we must not lose our cool-headed estimation of the situation in and out of the country.

We must take Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thought of Three Representatives as our guide, fully put into practice the scientific outlook on development, further emancipate the mind, implement the policy of reform and opening-up, promote social harmony and strive for the successful construction of an overall well-off society.

(China Daily 07/04/2007 page10)