Vice-President Zeng Qinghong on Tuesday called for a conscientious enforcement of the Law on Civil Servants, which comes into effect on January 1, 2006.

Addressing a meeting to discuss enforcement of the law, held in Beijing on Tuesday and Wednesday, Zeng also called for the continued improvement of the quality of the civil service.

Zeng, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said promulgation and enforcement of the law is a significant step in the building of China's socialist democratic and legal system.

"It signifies that the management of cadres and personnel affairs in China has entered a new stage," said Zeng, adding that the law provides an important basis for managing the civil service in a scientific, democratic and legal manner.

"It also provides an important guarantee for improving the capability of civil servants in governing, administering and handling their work according to the law," Zeng said.

The law covers functionaries in organs of the CPC, and organs of congress, administration, political consultative conferences, the judicial system, procuratorial organizations, and democratic parties.

Zeng called for the improvement of the capability of civil servants because it determines the governing ability of the Party and State administration.

He said Chinese civil servants should possess the following qualities: a love for the motherland, loyalty to the people, realism and pragmatism, a pioneering and innovative spirit, a sense of the overall good for the people, team work, dedication, and honesty.

(Xinhua News Agency September 22, 2005)