BEIJING -- Xi Jinping said on Sunday that the Communist Party of China (CPC) members must bear in mind that full and rigorous self-governance is an unceasing endeavor and that self-reform is a journey to which there is no end.

"We must never slacken our efforts and never allow ourselves to become weary or beaten," said Xi at the opening session of the 20th CPC National Congress.

The CPC has a pivotal role in building China into a modern socialist country in all respects and in advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts, Xi said.

As the largest Marxist governing party in the world, the CPC must always stay alert and determined to tackle the special challenges that a large party like the CPC faces, so as to maintain the people's support and consolidate its position as the long-term governing party, he said.

The CPC must meet the overall requirements for Party building in the new era, improve the systems for exercising full and rigorous self-governance, and comprehensively advance its efforts to purify, improve, renew, and excel itself, Xi said.

This will enable the Party to stay true to its original aspiration and founding mission and remain the strong leadership core in building socialism with Chinese characteristics, he said.

In the report, Xi stressed upholding and strengthening the centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, enhancing cohesion and forging the Party's soul with the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and improving the systems and regulations for the Party's self-reform.

He also stressed cultivating officials capable of shouldering the mission of national rejuvenation, enhancing the political and organizational functions of Party organizations, taking strict steps to improve Party conduct and enforce Party discipline, and winning the tough and protracted battle against corruption.