A senior Communist Party of China official has called on scholars to further study and apply Deng Xiaoping Theory and firm up confidence in socialism with Chinese characteristics in order to make greater contributions to building a strong country and realizing national rejuvenation.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during the opening ceremony of the three-day seminar being held in Beijing from Thursday to mark the 120th anniversary of the birth of late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping (1904-97), the chief architect of the country's reform and opening-up drive.

Cai said that in studying and applying Deng Xiaoping Theory — the series of political and economic ideologies first developed by Deng that play an important role in modern China — the Party's overall leadership must be upheld, particularly the unified and centralized leadership of the CPC Central Committee, which, he said, is a supreme political principle.

He called for firmly grasping the distinctive feature of "emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts" in Deng's theory, and continuing to promote theoretical innovation based on practice.

It is important to adhere to China's own path, firm up confidence in socialism with Chinese characteristics and advance Chinese modernization with strong will and determination, Cai said.

He also underscored the need to deepen reform and opening-up, pursue the path of peaceful development and advance the Party's self-reform.

In commemoration of the 120th anniversary of Deng's birth, publishing houses across the country have unveiled collections of books about the late leader to showcase his firm conviction in communism and strong belief in socialism with Chinese characteristics, as well as his deep love for the people.

caodesheng@chinadaily.com.cn