BEIJING -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), on Tuesday called for enhancing the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee over foreign affairs and opening up new prospects of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.

Xi, also Chinese president, chairman of the Central Military Commission, and head of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks when presiding over the first meeting of the Foreign Affairs Commission.

The meeting was attended by Premier Li Keqiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and deputy head of the commission, and Vice President Wang Qishan, also member of the commission.

Wang Huning, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, and Vice Premier Han Zheng, also member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, were present.

In his speech, Xi called for correct understanding and dealing with the changes of the current international situation and forging ahead to open up new prospects of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics so as to make greater contribution to the realization of the two centenary goals and the Chinese dream of great national renewal.

He said China had actively advanced innovations in diplomatic theories and practices, improved multi-faceted diplomacy, promoted the Belt and Road construction and been deeply involved in reforming and building the global governance system since the 18th National Congress of the CPC held in 2012.

It had also firmly safeguarded national sovereignty, security and development interests, blazed a new trail of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics and scored historic achievements, he said.

"In today's world of increased factors of uncertainty and instability, China's development faces both opportunities and challenges," Xi said.

He ordered the precise grasping of the law of changes in the international situation, thinking ahead and properly handling risks.

Xi called for further improvement of diplomatic planning, implementation of plans for major diplomatic activities, enhanced awareness of risks and firm safeguarding of national sovereignty, security and development interests for now and the years to come.

On the Belt and Road Initiative, Xi said the initiative was an important platform for promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Hailing the achievements on the Belt and Road Initiative in the past years, Xi called for the effective implementation of the results of the first Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held last May, gaining consensus of all sides, planning a vision of cooperation, expanding opening up and enhancing communication, coordination and cooperation with other countries so as to promote the initiative to make more progress and benefit more people.

On local foreign affairs, Xi said they were important components of the foreign affairs of the Party and the country, and of great significance to advancing exchanges and cooperation with foreign countries and promoting local reform and development.

He ordered effective arrangements for local foreign affairs under the centralized and unified leadership of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, as well as the centralized and rational allocation of resources.

Xi stressed that the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee should play a role in policy-making, discussion and coordination, advance the innovation of diplomatic theories and practices and provide strong guidance for foreign affairs to make new achievements.

He also ordered enhanced top-down planning and coordination, an increase in the abilities of setting directions, controlling the overall situation and making policies, promoting reforms to the foreign affairs working mechanism and strengthening the building of foreign affairs talent teams to ensure the implementation of CPC Central Committee policies.

The meeting also approved documents including the working rules of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee.