President Hu Jintao has called on government officials to promote and better regulate Internet services in China.

Hu made the call at a study session of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of Chinese Communist Party on Tuesday, saying officials should "actively and creatively nurture a healthy online culture" that meets public demand.

The rapid development of the Internet in China has played an important role in spreading information, knowledge, and Communist Party's policies, and it has also raised new issues for the country's cultural development, Hu said.

China's Internet population jumped by almost 24 percent last year to reach 137 million, according to the China Internet Network Information Center.

Nearly one in 10 Chinese have Internet access, and many regularly go online to read news, chat with friends, shop, and engage in debates.

"Whether we can cope with the Internet is a matter that affects the development of socialist culture, the security of information, and the stability of the state," Hu said.

He asked officials to use the Internet as a platform to spread healthy information, instead of deterring its development.

Officials at all levels should facilitate the development of the Internet, while improving the administration of Web technologies, content and network security, said Hu.

He asked officials to become more Internet-savvy, and to improve their ability to administer the medium.

The government should use advanced technologies to better guide public opinions voiced through the Internet.

"We should spread more information that is in good taste, and promote online products that can represent the grand Chinese culture," Hu said.

He told officials to provide sound conditions for developing Websites that carry excellent content and can improve the delivery of information helpful to people in their daily lives.