BEIJING - China still faces an arduous task to improve its socialist system of laws with Chinese characteristics established in 2010, according to a white paper released by the Chinese government on Thursday.

The white paper, titled "The Socialist System of Laws with Chinese Characteristics", was released by the State Council Information Office.

"The need for an improvement of the legal system is urgent in order to meet the challenges of new domestic and international situations, and new demands and expectations of the people, as well as new issues and problems facing China's reform, development and stability," according to the white paper.

China is now at a critical stage in deepening its reform and opening up, and building a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way, the white paper says.