BEIJING - The Communist Party of China (CPC) should lead the country's drive to advance the rule of law, said a key document here Thursday.

The general target is to form a system serving "the socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics" and build a country under "the socialist rule of law", said the communique issued after the fourth plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, which focused on "comprehensively advancing the rule of law" in China.

China will ensure the leadership of the CPC in "the socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics", the document said.