Xi Jinping's explanation of the decision on major issues concerning comprehensively deepening reforms was published on Friday.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, addresses the third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2013. The session lasted from Nov. 9 to 12. [Xinhua]

Entrusted by the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Xi, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, explained the decision to the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, which was held from Nov. 9 to 12.

Since 1978, the third plenary session of a CPC central committee, including its agendas, decisions, measures and signals, has served as a major reference for people to understand the new leadership's policies and priorities, and has been important for the work in the coming five to ten years, Xi said.

To reach the strategic goals set at the 18th CPC National Congress last year, comprehensive reforms must be firmly promoted, he said.

It has been 35 years since the CPC made the landmark decision to shift the focus to economic development and adopt opening-up policies at the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee.

Persistent reform and opening-up efforts have deeply changed the image of the country, its people and the Party and enabled China to become a significant member of the international community, Xi said.

Recalling Deng Xiaoping's reform speeches in 1992, Xi said only socialism can save China, and only reform and opening-up can develop China, socialism and Marxism.

Reform and opening-up will decide the destiny of modern China. It is also the key to realizing the dream of national rejuvenation, Xi said.

In April, the political bureau set reform as the theme of the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee.

A team headed by Xi was set up to draft the decision on reforms. Opinions were widely solicited within the CPC and among other parties and organizations.

During the drafting, it was made clear that the strategic mission of comprehensively deepening reforms and opening-up, proposed by the 18th National Congress of the CPC, should be implemented with the decision, Xi said.

It was also made clear that the decision should respond to the hopes as well as complaints of the people, while the reform measures should be bold in mind but steady in steps.

The reform roadmap has been designed to be met by 2020, when decisive results should have been achieved in key sectors, he added.