Efforts are needed to better rally and guide religious believers to work together with the general public to develop China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, he noted.

The conference, presided over by Li Keqiang, was attended by other senior leaders Li Zhanshu, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng. Wang Yang made concluding remarks.

Noting progress in the work related to religious affairs since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, Xi said religions in China have increasingly been Chinese in orientation and religious groups have kept enhancing their recognition of the motherland, the Chinese nation, the Chinese culture, the CPC and socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The CPC Central Committee has put forward a slew of new concepts and measures on religious work since the 18th CPC National Congress, Xi said.

Stressing the importance of religious affairs in the work of the Party and the state, Xi highlighted the need to establish robust leadership, uphold and develop a religious theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics, work in line with the Party's basic policy on religious affairs, and uphold the principle that religions in China must be Chinese in orientation.

Xi also demanded efforts to rally vast religious believers around the Party and government, foster positive and healthy relations among religions, support religious groups in strengthening self-building, and improve the management of religious work under the rule of law.

Xi emphasized full and faithful implementation of the Party's policy on freedom of religious belief, respecting people's religious beliefs, managing religious affairs in accordance with the law, adhering to the principle of independence and self-management, and actively guiding religions to adapt to the socialist society.

He said it is imperative to further uphold the principle that religions in China must be Chinese in orientation, strengthen the management of online religious affairs, and effectively address prominent problems that affect the sound inheritance of religions in China.

Xi stressed supporting and guiding religious circles to improve their self-education, self-management and self-discipline, urging full and strict governance of religions.