BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has urged China's local party officials to step up anti-corruption efforts at the rural grassroots level with the aim of "building a harmonious countryside."

Wu Guanzheng, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee's Political Bureau and secretary of the CPC Central Discipline Inspection Commission, addressed a workshop on Saturday that fighting against corruption at the rural grassroots level is an important part of building a harmonious socialist society.

Substantial and greater efforts should be made to improve Party Style and achieve clean governance so as to bring closer the relationship between the Party and the masses and promote harmony and stability in the countryside, he said.

He asked officials in charge to make substantial efforts to improve the style of grassroots party officials, seriously deal with eminent problems affecting the interests of farmers, investigate deep into cases involving officials violating laws and disciplines, and firmly safeguard the fundamental interests of rural people. Enditem