BEIJING, May 8 , 2008-- A senior Chinese official has urged theoreticians, publicity personnel, journalists and teachers, to be the pioneers of mind emancipation and innovation here on Thursday.

Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks during a symposium marking the 30th anniversary of a debate on the criterion of truth.

The debate, which was made possible by the support of Deng Xiaoping and other senior leaders, paved the way for China's reform and opening-up drives, Li said.

The debate provided the Party with strong spiritual power on its way to develop a socialist country with Chinese characteristics and the formation of the Party's theories, said Li.