BEIJING - President Xi Jinping has called on the People's Daily to faithfully fulfill responsibilities and missions of the publicity work of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, asked the newspaper to continuously improve its penetration, guidance, influence, and credibility, in a congratulatory letter sent to the newspaper, which held a conference Friday to celebrate the 70th anniversary of its founding.

On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi extended sincere greetings to all journalists working for the newspaper and those retired.

Xi said in the letter that under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the newspaper has remained committed to the Party spirit and principles, stayed in line with the Party and people, deeply publicized the Party's theories, lines, principles and policies, and reported the people's great practices with enthusiasm.

The newspaper has played a very important role and created glorious history in the stages of revolution, construction and reform over the past 70 years, he stressed.

Noting that socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era and China has embarked on a new journey to build a great modern socialist country, Xi asked the newspaper to thoroughly study and implement the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress held in 2017.

The president urged the newspaper to stick to the right political direction, carry on the fine tradition, deepen reform and innovation, and strengthen the competence of journalists.

He also urged the newspaper to improve media coverage, tell China's stories well and form an all-media pattern, so as to make greater contributions to the realization of the two centenary goals and national rejuvenation.

Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, addressed Friday's meeting.

Huang stressed the importance of sticking to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, calling on the newspaper to firmly grasp the right direction of public opinion and spread mainstream values.

Founded on June 15, 1948 in Pingshan county, Hebei province, People's Daily also provides news in the forms of magazine, website and app, covering a total of 786 million users.