BEIJING, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping on Friday praised the contributions of retired officials to the building of New China and urged their successors to carry on their spirits.

    Xi made the remarks at a meeting honoring 450 outstanding retired officials.

    "Members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in the contemporary era are walking right on the foundation built by generations of revolutionists and old CPC members," said Xi, adding that these 450 veterans represent more than 16.7 million retired cadres across the country.

    Xi, also member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Political Bureau, urged Party and government organizations at all levels to take good care of these veterans and address their problems in daily life.