BEIJING -- A speech delivered by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, at the Central Urban Work Conference will be published on Friday.

The speech by Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will be published in this year's second issue of the Qiushi Journal, a flagship magazine of the CPC Central Committee.

The speech notes that since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, China has achieved historic progress in urban development. However, some new challenges have emerged.

The speech stipulates the overall requirements for China's urban development, calling for blazing a new path for urban modernization with Chinese characteristics.

It outlines key principles for the mission, such as placing more emphasis on the well-being of the people, prioritizing intensive and efficient growth, highlighting distinctive features, increasing input in governance, and strengthening overall coordination.

The speech also specifies priorities for advancing urban development, such as optimizing the modern urban system, building vibrant cities powered by innovation, constructing comfortable, convenient and livable cities, building green, low-carbon and beautiful cities, enhancing urban safety and resilience, fostering culturally-vibrant cities characterized by high ethical and moral standards, and building smart cities for greater efficiency and convenience.

Moreover, the speech stresses strengthening the Party's overall leadership in urban work to build modern people-centered cities and setting up a scientific urban development evaluation system.