BEIJING - The Communist Party of China (CPC) on Monday called for strengthening and innovation in social management so as to address prominent social problems and safeguard the rights of Chinese citizens and promote social fairness and justice.

"Improving and innovating in the area of social management is closely related to consolidating the ruling status of the Party, the country's long-term stability and people's livelihoods," said a statement released Monday after a meeting held by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee General Secretary Hu Jintao presided over the meeting.

According to the statement, China is now facing important strategic opportunities for development, and is a period with prominent social contradictions, making the task of social management "heavier and more arduous."

According to the statement, the country will focus on "solving obvious problems that impact social harmony" and ensure social order and justice.

The statement stressed improving management and services for the country's migrant population and people with "special needs," as well as non-public economic organizations and social groups.

In addition, the statement said that the government will draw experience from foreign countries' social management experience while pushing forward the development of a socialist social management system with Chinese characteristics.