BEIJING, Oct. 28 -- Identifying Xi Jinpingas the core of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is a high degree of consensus of the Party, a senior publicity official said Friday.

"In the process of collecting opinions on the two documents approved at the sixth plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, central and local departments as well as the military all expressed their support for specifying Xi as the core of the CPC Central Committee and the entire CPC at the session," said Huang Kunming, executive vice head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee.

Huang made the remarks at a news conference in response to media questions on the background of the phrasing.

In a communique released Thursday after the four-day session, the CPC called on all its members to "closely unite around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core" and resolutely safeguard the authority of the CPC Central Committee and its central, unified leadership.

Recognizing the core status of Xi, who is general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, reflects the common will of the CPC as well as the common wish of the Party, the military and the people of all ethnic groups, said Huang, describing it as a move significant to upholding the CPC Central Committee's authority and maintaining the unity and the central, unified leadership of the Party.

Attendees at the session agreed that Xi deserves to be regarded as the core of the CPC Central Committee and the Party, as it has been proved by the practices since the 18th CPC National Congress in late 2012, Huang said.

According to Huang, a core is necessary for the CPC to maintain its status as a strong and powerful Marxist ruling party and lead the great undertaking of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Huang noted that identifying Xi as the core is crucial for the Party and country's fundamental interests and offers fundamental guarantee for strengthening CPC leadership.