'Scientific outlook on dev on par with Marxism-Leninism'
The National Congress is all set to enshrine the SOD into the party's Constitution, which will elevate Hu into the pantheon of top Chinese leaders, including 'Chairman' Mao and Deng.
Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday said his concept of Scientific Outlook on Development (SOD), all set to be enshrined into the Communist Party's constitution, was a "scientific theory" on the same lines as Marxism-Leninism and theories of his predecessors like Deng Xiaoping and Mao Zedong.
"The Scientific Outlook on Development is a continuation and development of the important thoughts on development advanced by the three generations of central collective leadership of the CPC and a concentrated expression of the Marxist world outlook and methodology with regard to development," Hu, also General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), said.
"We must pursue comprehensive, balanced and sustainable development," the 64-year-old leader, who is seeking a second term as General Secretary of the over 73 million member-CPC, said.
"It is a scientific theory that is in the same line as Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thought of Three Represents and keeps up with the times," Hu explained to 2,213 CPC delegates who attended the opening ceremony of the week-long 17th CPC National Congress here at the ornate Great Hall of the People.
"It is an important guiding principle for China's economic and social development and a major strategic thought that we must uphold and apply in developing socialism with Chinese characteristics," he said.
The National Congress is all set to enshrine the SOD into the party's Constitution, which will elevate Hu into the pantheon of top Chinese leaders, including 'Chairman' Mao and Deng and automatically leave his legacy in the intriguing world of Chinese politics.