Mar. 12, 2018 -- President Xi Jinping called for the building of a clean political environment and safeguarding the authority of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, of which he is general secretary.

Xi made the remark on Saturday during a panel discussion with lawmakers from Chongqing municipality in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Political ecology is similar to natural ecology because both can be polluted easily, and rehabilitation comes at a high cost, Xi said.

Xi said a clean and upright political ecology is essential to safeguarding both the authority and the centralized, unified leadership of the Central Committee — all of which are needed urgently to ensure full and strict governance of the Party and represent a vital guarantee in fulfilling reform and development targets.

During the discussion, eight NPC deputies delivered speeches on issues including high-quality growth, environmental protection in the Yangtze River region, innovation, Party building and Chinese traditional culture.

Zhang Xuan, head of the Chongqing Municipal People's Congress, suggested in her speech that the Party and government officials should receive more judicial training as part of the Central Committee's effort to advance the rule of law. Xi noted her advice and urged that it be implemented.

Leading officials should demonstrate leadership and set an example, Xi said. He urged them to uphold the rule of law, oppose the rule of man, and exercise their duty within the bounds of the Constitution and laws.

They were asked to abide by political rules and fully implement the Party's lines, principles and policies, as well as the decisions of the Central Committee.