The Communist Party of China (CPC) needs "loyal" and "clean" Party officials to serve at leading posts in prefecture-level cities in order to ensure good governance through the training of high-calibre leaders, according to a CPC order.

Loyalty to the Party, capability to promote social harmony and abundant working experience at grass-roots communities should be the qualities of a Party chief in third-tier cities or prefectures, said the regulations issued by the General Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee recently.

The CPC believes the leading Party officials at prefecture-level cities are a backbone force in guaranteeing good governance and played a key role in advancing the country's reform and development as well as ensuring stability.

To sort out the best leader from among the good, candidates running for the election of Party chiefs in prefecture-level cities will pass both Party-run evaluation and go through opinion polls, according to the regulations.

The regulations, in particular, stressed the necessity to upgrade Party officials' ability to promote scientific development and social harmony.

Training courses for the Party leaders should be tailored to the new situation and new issues regarding China's economic and social development, it noted.