China's top leaders highlighted the role of reform in planning economic growth for 2014 at a research conference held Tuesday, ahead of a key economic meeting later this month.

The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee gathered to study current and future economic development and hear the second national land research report.

China has managed to fulfill main growth targets this year and is facing complex challenges and emerging opportunities, according to a statement after the meeting presided over by General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping.

Prospects for economic growth in 2014 are encouraging thanks to the reform agenda made by the recently concluded CPC meeting in November, according to the statement.

The country will seek steady and stable growth next year, pushing reforms through in all areas of the economy and society and speeding up economic restructuring and public service infrastructure development, the statement said.

More reforms will be carried out to increase domestic consumption, open up the market, push forward urbanization, as well as develop modern agriculture, service and green energy sectors, it said.

The meeting also heard the second national land research report.

The strictest farmland protection system must be carried out in the country to ensure grain security, the statement said.