BEIJING — The text of a speech by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on celebrating the 60th founding anniversary of the National People's Congress (NPC), the top legislature, was published on Sept 16 in the 18th issue of the Qiushi Journal.

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said in the speech that China must promote socialist democracy through the improvement of the system of people's congresses.

While hailing the system of people's congresses as China's fundamental political system, Xi said, "In new situations, we should hold high the banner of people's democracy, while adhering to and improving the system of people's congresses as required by the times."

"We should keep to the socialist path of political development with Chinese characteristics and continue to promote socialist democracy," he said.

China's socialist political system has proved itself feasible, efficient and has vitality because it was developed in the country's social soil, Xi said, adding that any system should be designed and developed according to a country's actual conditions and situations.

The founding anniversary of the NPC falls on Sept 15. Xi delivered the speech at a conference on Sept 5, 2014, to mark the NPC's 60th anniversary.