Party chief  Xi Jinping has urged the Communist Party of China (CPC) to be more tolerant of criticism and receptive to the views of non-Communists.

Xi, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks on Wednesday at a gathering convened to extend Lunar new year's greetings to people from non-Communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and those without party affiliations.

"The CPC should be able to put up with sharp criticism, correct mistakes if it has committed them and avoid them if it has not," he said.

"Non-CPC personages should meanwhile have the courage to tell the truth, speak words jarring on the ear, and truthfully reflect public aspirations," he added. 

Criticism from non-Communist personages could help the CPC to identify, analyze and solve problems, he pointed out.

Xi asked CPC committees at all levels to readily accept and welcome supervision from non-Communist parties and personages so as to improve their work style and quality.

The remarks give confidence to non-Communist political parties and the public to express their opinions, Zhang Xixian, a professor with the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, told the Global Times on Thursday.

"It shows the determination to change work style and methods, while emphasizing the importance of democratic supervision," said Zhang, adding that Xi's remarks were also in line with the anti-corruption calls repeatedly stressed by the Party chief.

"The function of democratic supervision can be better realized as long as Party members are more humble in accepting opinions, while non-Communist parties and the public should also offer practical and scientific advice," said Zhang.

At the event, Xi also expressed appreciation for the hard work of non-Communist parties and personages in the past five years.

The general secretary called upon non-Communists to consolidate with the CPC their political common ground, that is, the socialist political system with Chinese characteristics.

Xi urged them to offer more wise and practical suggestions and consultations, as pushing forward the country's development requires extensive force.

Li Keqiang and Yu Zhengsheng, both Standing Committee members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, were also present at the gathering to mark Spring Festival, which falls on February 10 this year. 

China has eight non-Communist political parties that participate in state affairs under the leadership of the CPC. Under the multi-party cooperation system, the CPC and non-Communist parties work together and supervise each other.