BEIJING - The fourth plenary session, one of China's top political meetings, will carry the theme rule of law and has been scheduled for Oct 20-23 in Beijing.

The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee set the date for the fourth plenary session of the CPC 18th central committee during a meeting chaired by General Secretary Xi Jinping on Tuesday.

This will be the first time a plenary session of the CPC Central Committee has taken rule of law as its central theme, earlier reports said.

The Tuesday meeting also discussed the same topic, as well as reviewing the CPC's "mass line" campaign aimed at boosting ties between officials and the public, according to a statement released after the meeting.

Rule of law is "a must" if the country wants to build a prosperous society in an well-rounded way, rejuvenate the nation, comprehensively deepen reform, improve socialism with Chinese characteristics and the Party's governance capability, the statement said.

The statement emphasized rule of law should be advanced under the CPC leadership and in line with socialism with Chinese characteristics.

A complete legal system, featuring efficient enforcement, close supervision and forceful guarantee, must be put into place, it said.

The central leadership called for efforts to promote the rule of law, governing by law and administration by law simultaneously, so as to ensure scientific legislation, strict enforcement, judicial justice and promote modern governance.

During Tuesday's meeting, political bureau members listened to a report about opinions solicited on a draft decision of the CPC Central Committee on major issues concerning comprehensively advancing the rule of law.

The draft decision will be submitted for review at the fourth plenary session.