BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a new type of think tank catered for China as the country looks to modernize its governance.

The Leading Group for Overall Reform headed by Xi convened its sixth meeting on Monday, with attendees reviewing a document on strengthening the construction of new think tanks with Chinese characteristics.

Xi said at the meeting that intellectual resources are the most important for a nation, playing a crucial role in governing a country successfully. The more arduous the reform, the more intellectual support is needed, according to a statement issued after the meeting.

Although think tanks in China are developing rapidly and making important contributions to reform and modernization, they have a hard time changing alongside rapid development. Currently, China lacks think tanks with great influence and international reputation, Xi said.

"Building a new type of think tank with Chinese characteristics is an important and pressing mission. It should be targeted on promoting scientific and democratic decision making, promoting modernization of the country's governing system and ability, as well as strengthening China's soft power," Xi said at the meeting.

The president said think tanks should be led by the Communist Party of China (CPC) and adhere to correct direction. They should also demonstrate Chinese characteristics and style. Think tanks should also abide by scientific spirit and encourage researchers to make explorations and study. Think tanks should also focus on the overall situation, Xi added.

Think tanks affiliated to all departments, including the Party, the government, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Army, enterprises, as well as non-governmental think tanks, should be developed in a coordinated way, so that to form a think tank system with clear definitions, features and appropriate scales, the President said.

Xi also called for building a number of think tanks with international reputation and influence, as well as some professional think tanks.

The meeting was also attended by Li Keqiang and Liu Yunshan, members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and deputy heads of the group.