Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao called for overseas Chinese to promote China's peaceful reunification here in Beijing Friday when meeting with representatives attending the third fraternity conference of organizations of overseas Chinese.

"To realize the reunification and rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," said Premier Wen, "is the shared aspiration and historical responsibility of Chinese people both at home and overseas."

"Overseas Chinese have played a unique and important role in China's reunification and modernization drives," he added.

The Chinese premier also asked overseas Chinese to obey by the laws of their resident countries and to make their utmost efforts to promote China's modernization drive, as well as to promote cultural exchanges all over the world.

(Xinhua News Agency May 21, 2005)