BEIJING -- On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of a training program for ethnic officials in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region under the Party School of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made an important instruction, pointing out that establishing the program was an important decision of the CPC Central Committee. Over the past 70 years, the program has been advancing in tandem with the cause of the Party and the country. It has gone through an extraordinary journey, cultivating outstanding officials who are loyal and honest to the Party, command profound theoretical knowledge, grasp policies accurately, and are dedicated to serving the people. The program has played a significant role in strengthening the ranks of officials, boosting economic and social development, and promoting social stability and long-term security in Xinjiang, Xi said.

Noting that the 70th anniversary of the training program should be seen as a new starting point on the new journey, Xi emphasized the need to follow the guidance of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly study and implement the guiding principles from the 20th CPC National Congress and the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and fully implement the guiding principles from the second and third central symposiums on work related to Xinjiang. It is imperative to fully and faithfully implement the Party's policy for the governance of Xinjiang, and adhere to Party schools' original aspiration of cultivating talent for the Party and providing policy advice to the Party. Efforts should be made to improve regular training, especially the basic training mechanism, in line with Xinjiang officials' characteristics and their practical needs in work. Persistent efforts should be made to use the Party's new theories for the new era to help the officials maintain firm ideals and convictions and foster a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation throughout the process of running the training program. It is important to strengthen research on the basic theories and key issues of ethnic affairs and improve the quality and effectiveness of the training program, thereby cultivating more loyal, upright and responsible high-caliber officials for Xinjiang, Xi said.

Xi stressed further improving the working mechanism in which relevant central departments offer guidance and coordination, Xinjiang provides support, and the Party School of the CPC Central Committee plays the leading role. Various policies should be implemented to create favorable conditions and provide a strong guarantee for the success of the training program, he said.

A symposium marking the 70th anniversary of the training program was held on Saturday in Beijing. Chen Xi, president of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), read out Xi's instruction and delivered a speech at the symposium. Chen underscored the need to thoroughly study and implement Xi's important instruction and his discourses on the work of Party schools, map out a coordinated plan for the training program with a focus on fulfilling the Party's central task in the new era, and ensure that the guiding principles from the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee are effectively implemented in Xinjiang. It is necessary to make education and training more systematic and targeted based on the characteristics of the officials in Xinjiang and their practical needs in work, carry out basic training effectively, arm the officials with the Party's new theories, and enhance education on fostering a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation. It is necessary to advance reform and innovation and pool strength from various sides to nurture more loyal, upright and responsible high-caliber officials for Xinjiang, Chen said.

Leading officials of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance) and the CPC Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee, as well as representatives of the organizers and participants of the training program, made speeches at the symposium.