China's leading group for overall reform approved the establishment of six sub-groups at its first meeting on January 22.

The leading group for overall reform, with President Xi Jinping as its head, was established upon a decision passed at the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee in November last year.

The deputy heads include Premier Li Keqiang, Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli.

The newly established sub-groups will be responsible for reforms in six areas, including the economy and ecology, democracy and rule of law, the cultural system, social system, Party building system, and the discipline inspection system.

Speaking at the recent meeting, President Xi called for adequate understanding of the difficulty, complexity and urgency of reforms, as more and more interest groups will be affected as reforms go further.

Attendees of the meeting also explained and passed on the working rules of the leading group.