The Communist Party of China (CPC) has ordered its members to concentrate on "running our own affairs well" and help to "maintain stability and unity".

"Party organizations must guide party members and the public to further strengthen political consciousness and understanding of the overall situation," said a CPC circular issued Monday. "They should adhere to the principle that development is the primary task of the CPC."

The circular, addressed to the ongoing campaign of improving the vanguard character of the CPC members, further highlights the central authorities' efforts to guide the nation's attention to domestic development amid public furor over Japan's beautification of aggression in its history books.

A meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee held Friday made the call that China should seize the important strategic opportunity at present and concentrate on promoting development.

The People's Daily, China's leading newspaper, carried a signed article Sunday stressing the importance of stability.

"The world today is eventful with various sorts of frictions and problems. So is the domestic reform and development," says the article. "These problems must be solved recollectedly, sensibly, legally and orderly."

The newspaper published another signed article Monday entitled "Development is the primary task".

"Development is the key to solving all problems in China," it says. "Only through accelerating development and strengthening ourselves, can we cope with all sorts of difficulties and challenges at ease."

In a recent circular, the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China asks organizations of the league to guide the youth to correctly understand the international and domestic situations and major decisions of the CPC and the state.

It asks these organizations to guide the youth to "care for the overall situation, cherish unity and maintain stability" more than ever.

Monday's CPC circular also asks the party members to take the lead and guide the public to "maintain and promote reform, development and stability".

(Xinhua News Agency April 21, 2005)