PATRIARCH Deng Xiaoping has urged retired senior leaders to behave themselves and get in touch with the real life of the country, close ally Yang Shangkun quoted him as saying.
Mr Yang said there was still a lot for retired cadres to do after they hand over power to younger leaders.
''[You] should not receive high salaries and enjoy life and do not have a word on everything,'' the former state president quoted Mr Deng as saying.
Mr Deng has specifically said retired cadres should do two things.
First, he said they should take time to go down to regions to do research and study.
''[They should] look into how policies are implemented and listen to the aspirations and demands of the people,'' the patriarch was quoted as saying.
Secondly, Mr Deng urged elderly leaders to demand their family members, relatives, old comrades and colleagues stick to party discipline and the law.