Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, stressed accelerated efforts to build China into a leading country in education as the Party's leadership convened a study session on Monday.

Presiding over the group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Xi said the objective serves as a strategic precursor of building a great modern socialist country in all respects, an important support for achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, and an effective means of promoting common prosperity for all.

Xi called for speeding up modernization of the education sector to provide strong support for advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts.

China has established the largest education system in the world and joined the ranks of upper-middle level countries in terms of the overall level of modernization in education, Xi said, noting that China ranks the 23rd in a global education index, up 26 spots from 2012.

This fully demonstrates that the path of socialist education with Chinese characteristics is completely correct, he said.

To build China's strength in education, it is imperative to adhere to the Party's overall leadership over education and take serving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation as an important mission, Xi said.

He said the purpose of building a leading country in education is to cultivate successive generations of talented individuals capable of shouldering the significant tasks and responsibilities in the process of socialist modernization.

Xi emphasized the importance of guiding students to strengthen their ideals and convictions, always follow the Party and adhere to its guidance, and dedicate themselves to serving the country and the people.