BEIJING -- General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping has urged accelerated efforts in building up China's knowledge system in philosophy and social sciences.

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in an instruction on promoting the high-quality development of philosophy and social sciences.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, Xi noted, the philosophy and social sciences sector has earnestly implemented the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee, adhered to the principle of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China's realities and the best of its traditional culture, and made solid work in advancing innovations in knowledge, theory and method, and, as a result, produced a batch of valuable research outcomes, which have provided strong support to the work of the Party and the state.

He stressed that as China embarks on its new journey, it is imperative to follow the guide of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, uphold and strengthen the Party's overall leadership, deepen the systematic and academic research and interpretation of the Party's new theories, and accelerate the drive to foster China's independent knowledge system in philosophy and social sciences, in a bid to better answer the questions posed by China, the world, the people, and our times. Xi also urged efforts to open up new prospects for the high-quality development of philosophy and social sciences, contributing even more wisdom and strength to the cause of Chinese modernization.