Jiang Zemin on basic experience over past 13 years   2002-11-08 09:20:11 The Communist Party of China （CPC） has obtained most valuable experience in building socialism and the Party over the past 13 years, when it scored major historic achievements, Jiang Zemin said in his report to the 16th National Congress of the CPC in Beijing on Friday morning. "The practice of the 13 years has helped us acquire a deeper understanding of what socialism is, how to build it, and what kind of Party to build and how to build it, and we have gained most valuable experience in this regard," he said. Jiang reviewed the work of the Party and people and their great achievements since China initiated reform and opening up policies, especially since the Fourth Plenary Session of the 13th CPC Central Committee in 1989. China has responded confidently to a series of unexpected international events bearing on the country's sovereignty and security and surmounted difficulties and risks arising from the political and economic spheres and from nature, he said. "We have gone through one trial after another and removed all kinds of obstacles, thus ensuring that our reform, opening up and modernization drive have been forging ahead in the correct direction like a ship braving surging waves," Jiang said. As is universally recognized, he said, the 13 years have been a period in which China's overall national strength has risen by a big margin, the people have received more tangible benefits than ever before, the country has enjoyed long－term social stability and solidarity and had a good government and a united people, its influence in the world has grown notably, and the cohesion of the nation has increased remarkably. Jiang defined the experience over the 13 years as follows: * Uphold Deng Xiaoping Theory as our guide and constantly bring forth theoretical innovation； * Keep economic development as the central task and solve problems cropping up on our way forward through development； * Persevere in reform and opening up and keep improving the socialist market economy； * Adhere to the Four Cardinal Principles and develop socialist democracy； * Attach equal importance to both material and spiritual civilization and run the country by combining the rule of law with the rule of virtue； * Ensure stability as a principle of overriding importance and balance reform, development and stability； * Persevere in the Party's absolute leadership over the army and take the road of fewer but better troops with Chinese characteristics； * Continue to unite with all forces that can be united with and increase the cohesion of the Chinese nation； * Pursue the independent foreign policy of peace, safeguard world peace and promote common development； * Strengthen and improve the Party's leadership and propel the new great project of Party building. The experience, Jiang said, can be summarized as follows: "Our Party must always represent the development trend of China's advanced productive forces, the orientation of China's advanced culture and the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the Chinese people."