Li Changchun (R, front), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, shakes hands with artists after a performance in Beijing, Sept. 9, 2010, ahead of the Teachers' Day that falls on Friday. The theme of the performance is "planting the future". (Xinhua/Fan Rujun)

Li Changchun (front), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, shakes hands with award-winning teachers before a performance starts in Beijing, Sept. 9, 2010, ahead of the Teachers' Day that falls on Friday. The theme of the performance is "planting the future". (Xinhua/Fan Rujun)

Senior Communist Party of China (CPC)leader Li Changchun on Thursday called on teachers to be "role models" for students and lead by example in matters of discipline and integrity.

Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks when watching a performance dedicated to Teachers' Day, which falls on Friday.

More than 700 teachers and students, and a dozen "model teachers" selected by Chinese netizens, joined Li to watch the performance.

The Ministry of Education organized an election of "model teachers" online beginning August 8. During the month-long election, around 1.2 million people participated in the voting. A total of 33 teachers stood out among the 96 candidates, representing 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions.