President Xi Jinping has urged Anhui province, which spearheaded land reform in 1978 that broke up the previous commune-style collective farming, to actively deepen reforms in the area.

"On the basis of respecting farmers' wishes, the province should carry out pilot reforms and properly handle relations between farmers and land to ensure healthy and smooth rural reforms," Xi said on Sunday.

Xi was participating in a panel discussion with Anhui lawmakers at the ongoing annual two sessions.