BEIJING - President Xi Jinping has called for greater initiative in publicity and ideological work to ensure "correct political direction" to be followed when major issues of principles arise.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said more efforts must be made to help cadres and people draw a clear line between right and wrong.

Xi made the comments while addressing a national conference on publicity and ideological work, which was held in Beijing from Monday and Tuesday.

He said officials and cadres involved in publicity and ideological work should firmly hold the correct political stance, and resolutely promote key decisions made by the CPC Central Committee.

"[They] must resolutely maintain unity with the CPC Central Committee and resolutely safeguard the authority of the CPC Central Committee," he said.

He urged them to publicize the CPC's theories, guidelines, and decisions and judgement on major issues, and safeguard and promote fundamental rights and interests of the people.