BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Saturday China must strive to build a high-quality and balanced basic public education service system.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when he joined national political advisors from education, medical and health sectors in a joint group meeting.

Xi emphasized the socialist orientation in running schools, the non-profit nature of education and developing education that people are satisfied with.

Education is essential to the country and the Party, Xi stressed.

To build a high-quality education system, the reform of the evaluation system should be in the lead, so as to push forward reforms in other aspects of education, said Xi.

He also called for efforts to train more talents who can contribute to the country's high-quality development and high-level self-reliance.

Teachers are the central pillar of education, and strengthening the professional ethics of teachers must be our top priority, Xi said.

He also demanded more support for teachers in rural areas.