Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for building world-class universities to nurture people and the socialist cause.
Xi Jinping made the statement during an inspection tour of Peking University (PKU), ahead of China's Youth Day and the 120th anniversary of PKU, both falling on May 4.
Xi Jinping has extended festive greetings to Peking University staff and students, alumni at home and abroad, young people of all ethnic groups, and youth workers in China.
Noting that the development of universities and the nation complement each other, Xi Jinping stressed that more efforts should be spent on nurturing world-class universities, but foremost with Chinese characteristics.
Learning about the university's latest research achievements in science and engineering, Xi Jinping noted that innovation is the most powerful engine of development and most essential element of a country's national strength and core competitiveness.
The Chinese President says that the right political direction should be upheld, urging persistent efforts to foster and promote core socialist values, and encourage university staff and students to have faith in, and actively promote and practice, these values.
"The strength of the country depends on its people, and the achievement of talented people is based on learning. Universities should focus on their task of nurturing young people and prepare them to join the socialist cause, form a high-standard system to cultivate talent and build world-class programs with Chinese characteristics."
Xi Jinping has also encouraged young people to be loyal to the country and the people, learn the history of the nation, inherit Chinese culture, have national pride and cultural confidence, and closely link their ideals to the future of the nation.
"The young people of the new era should undertake the mission of developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, and make continuous efforts to build a moderately well-off society in an all-round way and a modernized socialist country. The young people should shoulder the responsibility of fulfilling national rejuvenation."
Xi Jinping says Peking University was the first in China to research and disseminate Marxism, playing a key role in the spread of Marxism in China and the CPC's founding.
He told the foreign students that to understand China, they must understand Chinese history, culture, thought and development stages. In particular, they must understand Marxism in contemporary China.
The Chinese President has also stressed efforts to train competent teachers and establish a system for cultivating talent.
