President Hu Jintao stressed the importance of the unity between domestic and overseas Chinese in the nation's revitalization while meeting with delegates at a Friday conference on overseas Chinese affairs, Xinhua News Agency reported on Monday evening.

Hu, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, urged CPC committees and governments at all levels to put overseas Chinese affairs at the top of their agendas and "firmly implement relevant state policies in a bid to better safeguard their fundamental interests."

Many millions of Chinese, including Chinese nationals, reside in more than 100 countries around the world. Many of them have talent, economic strength and a special affiliation with China, Hu said.

More than 30 million Chinese and their relatives have returned from overseas and are employed in all walks of life in China. They maintain innumerable ties with Chinese residing abroad.

Hu pointed out that those working on overseas Chinese affairs should seek to unite these people to contribute to the building of an affluent society, curb Taiwan independence attempts and enhance friendly exchanges between the Chinese people and others around the world.

Other senior leaders who were present at the meeting included Premier Wen Jiabao, National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Chairman Jia Qinglin and Vice President Zeng Qinghong.

(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2005)