A forum on the construction of a harmonious society was held from July 10 to 11 in Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province. Some of China's top academicians and theorists attended the forum. They discussed the social development of Chengdu, its past, present and future, and ways in which it could be used as a national model.

Jointly sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and the Chengdu government, the forum comprised seven seminars that focused on topics such as the people's congress system, the political consultative congress system, the integration of rural and urban areas, the transparency of government administration and the political construction of a grassroots democracy, the social insurance system, and legal system construction.

Ge Honglin, mayor of Chengdu, hosted the opening ceremony at the Jinjiang Grand Ceremony Hall.

Speaking at the event, Chen Jiagui, vice president of the CASS, affirmed the achievements made by Chengdu. "Chengdu has contributed greatly to the construction of a harmonious society in both theory and practice. This forum, which has taken more than half a year to prepare, is a chance for us to further explore the harmonious society theory and to sum up Chengdu's experiences in order to accelerate the development of the city, of Sichuan and even of the whole nation," he said.

(China.org.cn by staff reporter Chen Lin, July 11, 2005)