BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday urged the whole Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups to continuously advance the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics as the country marked the birth centenary of late leader Jiang Zemin.

Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a grand gathering at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.