Senior Chinese official calls for promotion of patriotism

A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has called for more publicity of patriotism as well as the country's achievements prior to a Party congress.

Li Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, hailed the progress of post-quake reconstruction in China's southwestern Sichuan, as he wrapped up a five-day inspection tour in the province on Sunday.

During the trip, Li visited the new county seat of Wenchuan, the epicenter of a massive earthquake in May 2008, which had left more than 80,000 people dead or missing.

He urged local authorities to promote the "precious spiritual wealth" formed in quake relief and reconstruction and carry out extensively the education of patriotism and "core values" of socialism.

While visiting some remote villages in Aba Tibetan autonomous prefecture, he met with local herdsmen and inquired about their living conditions.

Li asked authorities in Sichuan to expand the coverage of cultural service in both urban and rural areas and encouraged local enterprises to embrace innovation and raise their competitiveness.

After multiple earthquakes jolted Sichuan's neighboring provinces of Yunnan and Guizhou on Friday, Li ordered quick media coverage to facilitate quake-relief operations.