BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping Tuesday demanded that discipline and rules move to more important position, declaring Party rules an important test of loyalty for members.

Xi, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, was delivering a speech to the 5th plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI).

Xi told Party members to follow the constitution and fine traditions of the Party. Political discipline and rules exist to enable CPC cadres to defend the authority of the CPC Central Committee and cadres must follow those rules, aligning themselves with the committee in deed and thought, at all times and in any situation. Party unity must be ensured, he added.

Organizational procedures must be observed with Party members conferring with their superiors when handling major issues. Members must not overstep their authority and must obey the decisions of the Party.

Cadres must supervise their families and the staff working around them. They should not give tacit consent to anyone seeking illegitimate interests through their association.

The atmosphere of discipline and rules must be systemic within the whole Party, and leading cadres, especially senior leading cadres, must play an exemplary role.