BEIJING, Oct. 24 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping Tuesday stressed rallying individuals in the private sector around the Party more closely and breaking new ground in the work of federations of industry and commerce.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a congratulatory letter to the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) on its 70th founding anniversary.

On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi extended greetings to officials and staff members of all levels of industrial and commerce federations and individuals in the private sector across the country.

Commending their work over the past 70 years, Xi said federations of industry and commerce have made important contributions to the development of the People's Republic of China, the advancement of reform and opening up, and the great endeavors of the new era.

In the letter, Xi urged efforts to facilitate the healthy development of the non-public sector and those working in it, and promote high-quality development of the private sector.

Xi called on individuals in the private sector to fully apply the new development philosophy and promote entrepreneurship, to contribute to building a modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts.

A gathering celebrating the 70th anniversary of the ACFIC was held in Beijing on Tuesday. Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, attended the event and made a speech.

Wang said that in the letter, Xi expressed expectations and set forth clear requirements for people in the non-public sector, which has provided the fundamental guideline for conducting relevant work in the new era and promoting the healthy development of the non-public economy.

Wang urged efforts to promote the high-quality development of the private sector.

Federations of industry and commerce should guide private enterprises in fully and faithfully applying the new development philosophy on all fronts, actively engaging in creating a new pattern of development, focusing on their main business, and bolstering the development of the real economy, Wang said.

Wang also stressed the need for guiding those in the private sector to pursue a people-centered philosophy of development.

Shi Taifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, read out Xi's letter at the gathering.