BEIJING - Senior leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Liu Yunshan has underscored the importance of studying speeches made by President Xi Jinping.

Liu, who is president of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, made the comment during the opening ceremony for the second group of students at the school's 2017 spring semester Tuesday.

Chief officials and leading cadres should take the lead in studying Xi's speeches and mastering Marxist standpoints to raise political awareness and improve governing ability, Liu said.

Speeches delivered by Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, are the latest achievements in adapting Marxism to Chinese conditions, Liu stressed, asking officials to unite closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi as the core.

Liu also urged officials to reaffirm their faith, represent the interests of the people, be realistic and pragmatic and make bold innovations.

He said that the speeches contain the essence of Marxism, the wisdom rooted in traditional Chinese culture and the Party's innovation and creative thoughts since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012.

The Party School trains existing and potential CPC or government officials.