Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday praised Deng Xiaoping's bravery and innovation as the late leader's most distinctive characteristics.

Xi made the remarks during a seminar marking the 110th anniversary of Deng's birth, saying that Deng's merit should be viewed as the necessary responsibility of members of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Xi quoted Deng's 1977 words that a country, a party or a nation can not make progress and it will finally perish if it worships books and if its thinking remains rigid.

Xi said that biggest causes demand the most innovative and pioneering of spirits, adding that on the path forward, China will work on many great struggles with new historical characteristics.

Xi called for learning from Deng's political courage, making bold decisions based on practice, and taking innovation as an normal attitude in work.

"We should dare to break old rules and make new rules, dare to break through and try, so that reform and opening up can proceed without hesitation," Xi said.