China's top advisory body, the National Committee of the
10th?Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
(CPPCC), convened its Third?Session
in Beijing on Thursday afternoon, laying much stress on the role it
can play in promoting national reunification and social
harmony.
"We shall bring our unique function and role into full play ...
contribute to the building of a harmonious socialist society ...
oppose and curb Taiwan independence activities and safeguard peace
and stability across the Taiwan Straits," said Jia
Qinglin, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, while
delivering a keynote report on what the advisory body should do in
2005.
All top leaders of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) and
the state, including President Hu Jintao, top lawmaker Wu Bangguo
and Premier Wen Jiabao, were seated on the central rostrum when the
session opened in the Great Hall of the People at 3 PM.
Founded in 1949, the CPPCC consists of members of society who
are willing to serve as a think tank for the government and for the
country's legislative and judicial organs.
As an open forum where the CPC, non-Communist parties and people
without party affiliation can discuss state affairs freely and on
an equal footing, the CPPCC is also regarded as an example of
Chinese socialist democracy.
However, Jia, also a member of the CPC's top decision-making
body, the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC
Central Committee, also reaffirmed the unshakable leadership of the
CPC over the advisory body.
"Adherence to the leadership of the CPC provides a fundamental
guarantee for the healthy development of the cause of the people's
political consultation," he told the 2,186 advisors from all over
the country.
The CPPCC has enhanced unity and friendship with Hong Kong,
Macao and Taiwan over the past year and played its role in
implementing the "one country, two systems" policy and promoting
reunification of the motherland, Jia said.
The two special administrative regions (SARs) of Hong Kong and
Macao have made new progress in implementing the basic principle of
"one country, two systems" and achieved a high degree of
self-administration and autonomy, Jia said in his work report.
In 2004, the Standing Committee of the National People's
Congress (NPC) gave interpretations of the Hong Kong SAR's Basic
Law and outlined its electoral methods for 2007 and 2008 in another
important move to resolve issues of constitutional development
there.
The successful election of the Hong Kong SAR's third legislative
council and inauguration of the second-term government of the Macao
SAR have cemented the status of patriotic forces in the political
lives of the two SARs, said the CPPCC National Committee
chairman.
"Members of the CPPCC National Committee from Hong Kong and
Macao have played an active role by firmly abiding by the Basic
Laws and supporting the central and SAR governments in resolving
related issues in compliance with the law," he said, "They have
contributed to the maintenance of social stability and promotion of
prosperity in the two SARs."
Jia acknowledged that the advisory body, over the past year, has
carried out work in various fields and also addressed the current
situation across the Taiwan Straits to promote peaceful
reunification of the motherland.
"We organized investigations and study tours among CPPCC
National Committee members and strengthened with research and
publicity work on the glorious culture and traditions of the
Chinese nation to fight Taiwan independence from historical and
cultural perspectives," he said.
Meanwhile, the CPPCC National Committee also promoted economic,
technological and cultural as well as personnel exchanges across
the Taiwan Straits to increase Taiwan compatriots' understanding of
the Chinese mainland's policy on Taiwan and dispel skepticism and
misunderstanding on certain issues.
It is the common aspiration of diverse parties, political and
ethnic groups and all circles to see the complete reunification of
the motherland, he said. "Some non-Communist parties and members of
the CPPCC National Committee have, at CPPCC meetings or in
proposals, called for the earliest draft of an Anti-secession Law
to fight and curb secessionist activities."
In 2004, the CPPCC National Committee sent a total of 29
delegations to visit 44 countries and received 28 groups of
visitors from 23 countries and three international organizations.
It also established new relations with six countries and 13
organizations and institutions.
In its history, the 56-year-old advisory body has established
friendly contact with 184 institutions from 107 countries and eight
international and regional organizations.
(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2005)
