The amendment said the CPC shall stick to the road of peaceful development and the strategy of open-up to the outside world based on the principle of mutual benefits.

    The amendment was adopted at the just-concluded CPC 17th National Congress.

    The amendment urged the party to help ethnic minority people and regions with economic, cultural and social development.

    The amendment is expected to better implement the Party`s policies of ethnic relations which is based on equality, solidarity, mutual assistance and harmony, said the spokesman.

    An amendment of the constitution was adopted at the 17th National Congress of CPC on October 21, adding various contents to the general program of the constitution.

    The new constitution, for the first time, says the CPC "strives to fully implement its basic principle for work related to religious affairs, and rally religious believers in making contributions to economic and social development."

    To further expand and fortify the broadest possible patriotic united front, the Party will not only rally all socialist workers, but also "all builders of the cause of socialism", it says.

    In accordance with the "One country, two systems" policy which has been adopted in Hong Kong and Macao, the new constitution promises that the Party will promote long-term prosperity and stability in the special administrative regions.

    Referring to the Party`s foreign affairs stance, the constitution clarifies that the CPC will "adhere to an independent foreign policy of peace, follow the path of peaceful development and a win-win strategy of opening up".

    The Party will vigorously develop relations with other countries and push for the building of a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity, says the new constitution.

    "It is also an important part of the socialism undertakings with Chinese characteristics," said the spokesman.

    The amendment stressed that the CPC will take both the domestic and international situations into consideration to bring about a favorable international environment for China`s reform and opening up.

    "All these additions are made in accordance with new domestic and international situations that China has encountered in recent years," said the spokesman.