President Xi Jinping has called on secretaries of Communist Party of China (CPC) committees at county level to be loyal to the Party, take initiative in economic development and serve the people wholeheartedly.

Xi made the remarks on Tuesday when meeting with 102 individuals selected from more than 2,800 county-level Party secretaries across the country for their outstanding work.

While congratulating them, the president extended greetings to all Party members ahead of the 94th anniversary of the CPC's founding on Wednesday.

"When counties are governed, the world is at peace," Xi said, quoting an ancient Chinese saying. "In our Party's organizational structure and the country's regime structure, the county is a key part that links higher and lower levels as well as a significant foundation for economic development, people's livelihoods and social stability."

According to the president, honoring outstanding county-level Party secretaries aims to set an example for all Party members and officials.

"A county-level Party committee is a frontline headquarters for the CPC's governance, and a Party secretary is the commander in chief," Xi said, acknowledging the huge pressures placed on them.

He urged these officials to follow Party codes of conduct and adapt themselves to China's plateauing economic growth.

"County-level Party secretaries should be trailblazers for development... take hold of the reform drive and guide the people to contribute to social and economic development together," Xi said, underlining poverty relief work.

He also called on Party committees and organization departments to lend more support to grassroots Party officials.

Also at the meeting with outstanding secretaries, Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said more quality officials are needed to serve the Party's cause. He vowed promotions for those who perform well.

Liu stressed firm Party belief, sincerity toward the people, discipline to resist corruption, and a strong sense of responsibility as the key qualities exemplified by these honored secretaries.

(Xinhua News Agency June 30, 2015)