BEIJING - China's senior leaders have pledged to reduce ostentation and bureaucratic visits, meetings and talks, in order to remain close with the public.

In a meeting attended by members of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Tuesday, it was agreed that officials should work practically for the Party and the country.

The meeting was presided over by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

According to a statement issued after the meeting, all members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee were urged to understand the real situation facing society through in-depth inspections at grassroots.

This should be done especially in places where social problems are more acute, and inspection tours as a mere formality should be strictly prohibited.

Senior leaders should work and listen to the public and officials at grassroots levels, and solve people's practical problems, the statement said.

It was also agreed at the meeting to cut spending and the number of escorts for leaders on official domestic and overseas visits, strictly regulate the arrangements of national official meetings and major events, improve the efficiency of official conferences and issuing of official documents.

Officials at the meeting agreed to fewer traffic controls arranged for the leaders' trips to avoid unnecessary inconvenience to the public.

They also agreed to ban worthless news-reporting and publications regarding seniors officials' work and activities.