Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in further reform and opening-up while defending the socialist system with Chinese characteristics.
Addressing a meeting celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Reform and Opening-up at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, he pointed out nine "musts" in future reform and opening-up work.
First, ensure the Party exercises leadership over all work and keeps enhancing and improving its way of leadership.
Second, adhere to the people-oriented approach and keep delivering on the aspirations of the people for a better life.
Third, uphold Marxism as our guiding ideology and explore theoretical innovations based on practice.
Fourth, stay on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and uphold and develop socialism with Chinese features.
Fifth, improve and develop the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics to harness and enhance the advantages of our system.
Sixth, continue to take development as the top priority and enhance our composite national strength.
Seventh, stay committed to reform and opening-up and promote joint efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind.
Eighth, exercise full and rigorous governance over the Party to continuously enhance the Party's ability to innovate, power to unite, and energy to fight.
Ninth, maintain the worldview and methodology of dialectical and historical materialism to strike a balance between reform, development and stability.