The upcoming 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) will serve as a new historical starting point for the Party and country's further advancement, says an editorial to be carried on Thursday's People's Daily.

The congress, proposed by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to be opened in Beijing from Oct. 15, is a very important meeting to be held at a time when China has entered a key stage of reform and development, says the flagship newspaper of the CPC.

The congress will mobilize the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups to further stick to the Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thoughts of "Three Represents" and thoroughly carry out the scientific concept of development, the editorial says.

It will call on them to further emancipate the mind, persist in the reform and opening drive, advance scientific development, promote social harmony and strive together to build an all-round better-off society, the editorial says.

The congress will summarize the great achievements and precious experience the Party has gained in the building of socialism with Chinese characteristics and is expected to make overall arrangements for China's economic, political, cultural and social development as well as the Party's construction, according to the editorial.

"It will work out new guiding policies, principles and action programs adapted to the times and the people's will, and play a paramount role in leading the people to build a better-off society and speed up socialist modernization," the editorial says.

It says the congress will also help unify thoughts and collect wisdom within the Party and pool the strength of the people of all ethnic groups on the track of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The important speech made by President Hu Jintao, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, on June 25 has laid an important political and theoretic ground for the Party's coming congress, the editorial notes.

The entire Party has learned in depth the speech for more than two months, which prompt its members to work with a more practical style and a more active attitude.

The editorial urges all Party members to work more enthusiastically and earnestly so as to embrace the congress with better performance.

(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2007)