Chinese official calls for cultural, ethical progress

Senior Chinese official Liu Yunshan on Tuesday called for efforts to bolster core socialist values and promote cultural and ethical progress. Liu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, stressed the need to strengthen the education of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the idea of the Chinese dream among the public. Core socialist values should be deeply rooted among the people, Liu said at a conference held by the Central Spiritual Civilization Development Steering Commission. Core socialist values include national goals of prosperity, democracy, civility and harmony; social goals of freedom, equality, justice and the rule of law; and individual values of patriotism, dedication, integrity and friendship. A positive social atmosphere should be created to praise the behavior of keeping one's word and punish those for breaking promises, and to promote the traditional virtue of frugality, he said. Liu also urged efforts to promote polite tourist behavior in order to improve the tarnished national image of Chinese travelers.