Chinese Communist Party (CPC) and government leaders celebrated the
New Year with a reception organized by the National Committee of
the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in
Beijing yesterday.
Addressing the reception, Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao extended
cordial greetings to all non-Communist parties, mass organizations,
people of all social sectors, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and
Taiwan, overseas Chinese and foreign friends who supported China's
modernization drive.
Hu, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee,
said the united front is an effective weapon for the CPC to unify
the country's various sectors and achieve victories in the
revolution, economic construction and reform.
He
said that, in the new century, the CPC will further develop the
patriotic united front, adhere to and improve the multiparty
cooperation and political consultation system, bring all possible
factors into play and strive for China's rejuvenation.
He
expressed the hope that the CPPCC would learn from its experiences,
carry forward its fine traditions, keep working on the two major
tasks of democracy and unity, do a better job in democratic
supervision, participate in State affairs and contribute more to
the country.
Li
Ruihuan, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, called on all
CPPCC members to rally around the CPC Central Committee with Hu
Jintao at the core, implement the important thought of the "Three
Represents" and the essence of the 16th National Congress of the
CPC, exercise the functions of the CPPCC and contribute more to
building socialism with Chinese characteristics.
CPC leaders Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao, Li Peng, Zhu Rongji, Li
Ruihuan, Li Lanqing, Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Zeng
Qinghong, Huang Ju, Wu Guanzheng, Li Changchun and Luo Gan attended
the celebration, joined by leading officials of non-Communist
parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and
representatives of central government departments and of all ethnic
groups and trades.
(Xinhua News Agency January 2, 2003)