Mr Ding told a national conference in the city that China should avoid focusing simply on economic growth during the modernisation process.

It was crucial not to undermine or sacrifice 'spiritual civilisation' in exchange for short-term economic growth, he stressed.

He said that greater importance should be given to culture and ideology in the drive to develop the country's socialist market economy.

'It is necessary for China to promote cultural and ideological advancement as well as material progress to maintain co-ordinated development between the economy and society,' he was quoted yesterday as saying by Xinhua (the New China News Agency).

He said effective measures were needed to provide 'solid ideological foundations and better publicity' for the country's reforms.

The propaganda drive has been prompted by the release of the blueprint for the country's economic and social development over the next 15 years, announced late last month by the Communist Party's Central Committee.

The party is calling for progress in both the material and spiritual spheres.

Mr Ding told cadres to concentrate on improving the cultural and ideological life of teenagers.

He said any activities that could help boost patriotism, collectivism and socialism should be promoted.

The press has been urged to do more to report socialist 'ideological building' and criticism of immoral behaviour and negative social phenomena.

Several articles have been published in the past week asking the country as a whole to learn from the new model city, which has been praised by President Jiang Zemin for its economic and spiritual achievements.