China's new leader says the ruling Communist Party should tolerate sharp outside criticism, in comments that have received skepticism from a public accustomed to pervasive censorship.

State media said newly installed party General Secretary Xi Jinping made the remarks Wednesday at a gathering of non-Communist Party groups.

Xi urged members of the groups to speak truthfully, give advice even if it is unpleasant, and accurately reflect the voice of the public.

He also asked all party organizations to accept advice and criticism from outside the party.

Xi has vowed to tackle endemic official corruption, which he says threatens the future of the Communist Party.

China has routinely detained and imprisoned people critical of the party and the government. It also tightly censors newspapers, other publications and the Internet.