President Xi Jinping stressed on Monday the importance of "a sound environment for public opinion", calling it crucial for governance and national stability.

Xi made the remarks while meeting in Beijing with representatives of the All-China Journalists' Association and winners of this year's China News Award and Changjiang Taofen Award, the country's top two journalism awards. The latter is named after Chinese journalists Fan Changjiang (1909-70) and Zou Taofen (1895-1944).

Xi urged the country's journalists to follow "the correct political direction," conform to the Communist Party of China Central Committee, adhere to the Marxist view of journalism, stick to the standpoint of the Party and the people, and uphold socialism with Chinese characteristics.