BEIJING (REUTERS) - China must deepen reforms to address a slew of challenges confronting the world's second-biggest economy, President Xi Jinping said in comments published on Tuesday.

The official Xinhua news agency quoted Mr Xi as saying during a trip to the central province of Hubei this week that officials must hold high the spirit of reform and innovation when managing the country to propel sustainable and healthy development of the economy.

"To address the series of problems and challenges facing our country's development, the key is to deepen reforms in all aspects," Mr Xi was quoted as saying.