President Xi Jinping has called for a greater role for the Communist Party of China in guiding the country's political and legal affairs. Xi has made the comments during a central political and legal work meeting.

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks at a central political and legal work meeting in Beijing,capital of China, Jan. 7, 2014. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Xi said,at the meeting held on Tuesday and Wednesday ensuring social stability is the basic task of the country’s political and legal bodies, and promoting social justice and equality must be their core values. Xi ordered officials in the political and legal system to "carry the sword of justice and the scale of equality" and take pragmatic actions to safeguard social justice and equality. The president stressed that stability, people’s interests and order must be well managed.

Xi said the Party should lead the development of new legislation, enhance law enforcement and set an example by strictly abiding by the law. Xi reiterated that judicial reform is one of the most important parts of political restructuring.