China must push ahead with reform despite 'great struggles', says Xi Jinping

China's road to opening up and modernisation would be long and difficult, President Xi Jinping said yesterday, but added that the country must move forward with reforms.

He even called on cadres to allow for a little dissent if necessary.

Xi galvanised the push for deepening reform when he chaired a symposium marking the 110th anniversary of the birth of the late paramount leader Deng Xiaoping. He called for courage, warning a deadlock in China's progress would lead to the collapse of both the Communist Party and the nation.

"We should push ahead with reform and opening up without hesitation," Xi said at the symposium, which was attended by all members of the Politburo Standing Committee. "We will have many great struggles of new historic uniqueness along our path for progress."

Xi said cadres should have the political will to try new initiatives, and in remarks that signal that his massive anti-corruption campaign would continue, he said cadres should set aside their personal feelings and even hire people who had opposing views.

"Comrade Deng Xiaoping long opposed privileges and corruption. He was also strict with his relatives and people working around him," Xi said.