A senior publicity official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Thursday said the current popular "red- song" performances in the country do not signal an ideological shift.

Wang Xiaohui, vice director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks at a press conference in response to a question on whether red-song chorales springing up nationwide indicates an ideological return to the past.

Groups of people signing red songs, mostly revolution-era songs, can be seen in more and more places throughout the country as the CPC prepares to celebrate its 90th anniversary on July 1.

Wang said that it's a long-held tradition of the Chinese people to sing red songs and this year it's very "meaningful" for people to get together and sign the songs to express their love for the CPC, remember the revolution martyrs and hope for a better life.

"Today we have a very rich and diverse culture. Some like red songs, others like pop songs. And there are still others who like rock-roll," he added.