Zhou Yongkang (C), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Political and Legal Affairs, presides over a meeting on petitions and visits from the people, in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 16, 2011. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BEIJING, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has called for better handling of people`s petitions and complaints in a bid to promote social harmony.

Zhou Yongkang, a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, urged authorities to address people`s pragmatic problems and better implement government policies aimed at giving more benefits to the masses.

Efforts should be made to ensure those in need get more benefits from China`s economic development, Zhou said at a meeting on Wednesday in Beijing in which participants discussed how to handle public petitions.

At the meeting, Zhou called on authorities to do more research and follow "new situations" and "new problems" and respond to reasonable appeals from the public.

Zhou also highlighted the importance of dealing with "long-standing" appeals.

The petition system of China allows those who receive wrongful and unfair treatment, particularly from officials and law enforcers, to seek justice through special government offices by sending them petition letters.