Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, delivers a speech at the opening session of a workshop for provincial and ministerial officials on the Sixth Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee in Beijing on February 13 (XINHUA) 

On February 13, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, told leading officials to practice strict self-discipline and eliminate special privileges.

Xi made the remarks when addressing the opening session of a workshop on the Sixth Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee. The workshop at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee was attended by senior provincial and ministerial officials.

The opening session was presided over by Premier Li Keqiang. Other leaders including Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli were also present.

Xi said implementing the decisions of the plenum would have far-reaching and profound significance for both the Party and socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Xi urged leading cadres to "build a fence" against special privileges to prevent themselves and those around them from abusing power.

Leading officials should use their power "impartially, cautiously and legally," Xi said in his speech.

"Leading officials should strengthen their political capability, firm their political ideals, uphold political direction, be steadfast in their stance and strictly observe political rules," Xi said, stressing they should enrich their political experience and match their political capability with the positions they were holding.

Xi said upholding the authority of the CPC Central Committee with strict observance of orders and rules was related to the future and fate of the Party and the nation as well as the fundamental interests of all people across the nation.

Xi called on all Party members to become more aware of the need to uphold political integrity, keep in mind the bigger picture, follow the CPC as the core of the Chinese leadership, and act consistently with CPC Central Committee policy.

Such workshops date back to late last century and are now part of the CPC routine. In 1999, a financial seminar at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee was attended by provincial and ministerial officials.

Since then, workshops on major strategic plans have been held almost every year, with topics covering deepening reform, promoting rule of law and implementing decisions of plenary sessions of the CPC Central Committee.

This year's workshop focused on and brought up requirements for "key minorities," which was first raised at a workshop in February 2015, referring to the small group of officials at provincial and ministerial level who have both big power and responsibilities.

The term has since been regularly brought up. In January, senior CPC leader Liu Yunshan asked organization departments to practice strict intra-Party political life and strengthen intra-Party supervision, focus on "key minorities" and promote comprehensive and strict governance of the Party.

According to Xin Ming, a professor with the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, this group of officials is crucial to governing the country, as many are members of, or alternate members of the CPC Central Committee.

Provincial and ministerial officials act as connectors, carrying out the policies of higher authorities and making decisions for lower ones, said Guo Xiangong, Director of the Party Building Division of the Party School of the CPC Henan Provincial Committee.

For the central authorities, these officials follow their policies and guidelines, while to city, county and township-level ones, they are the decision makers, he said.

Their understanding of the policies and guidelines of the central authorities directly decides the implementation and effect of policies, he added.

Cai Songtao, Secretary of the CPC Lankao County Committee, said that such workshop has benefited Lankao, a county in central China’s Henan Province, in many ways.

"As a local official, I sometimes do not grasp the essence of central instructions. Provincial officials deliver instructions more accurately after a workshop, and we can follow them more easily," said Cai.

At a similar workshop last year, Xi stressed the new concept of innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development, to promote economic and social development during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20) and achieve the country's goal of becoming a moderately prosperous society in an all-around way.

Based on guidelines made by provincial authorities after last year's workshop, Lankao County has tackled poverty through industrial development, urbanization and public services, and fulfilled various tasks as scheduled, Cai added.