A senior leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC) stressed Friday the role of high technology in cultural development, as the country seeks to reform and innovate to ensure the prosperity of socialist culture.

"High technology should be the 'new engine' for promoting cultural construction and boosting the country's cultural innovation abilities and influence," Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said at a meeting of publicity officials.

"We should adhere to advanced socialist culture and stick to the principles of being close to reality, life and the people," he said, urging to keep the balance between social influence and economic returns.

He also urged the country's cultural sector to correctly handle the relationship between cultural development and the use of science and technology while fostering new talent with knowledge from multiple fields.