BEIJING, Oct. 14 -- A senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official called on Chinese writers and artists to create more excellent artworks.

Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks Monday at the award ceremony of the 10th Mao Dun Literature Prize in Beijing.

Huang extended congratulations to the awardees and expressed appreciation to the contributions made by all Chinese writers for the prosperity of socialist literature and art.

Launched in 1981 following the last wish of the known Chinese writer Mao Dun, the award is now China's top literary prize presented every four years.

A total of five novels, respectively written by Liang Xiaosheng, Xu Huaizhong, Xu Zechen, Chen Yan and Li Er, won the prize this year.

Over 600 people from all walks of life attended the ceremony held at the National Museum of China.