The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) had recently held a symposium to solicit advice from non-CPC members and non-party affiliated personages for its decision on the building of a harmonious socialist society.

Hu Jintao, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the symposium, at which China's non-communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and non-party personages were invited to give their opinions.

The non-CPC members and non-party affiliated personages said the CPC Central Committee's decision of putting the construction of a socialist harmonious society at a more prominent position on its work agenda demonstrated CPC's arch aim of serving the interests of the public, according to a release from the symposium.

Such decision also met the demand of implementing the scientific concept of development and reflected the basic interests of the general public, the participants said.

According to the release, the non-CPC members and non-party affiliated personages said they believed that CPC's decision on the building of a harmonious socialist society is of realistic significance and far-reaching historical bearing.

The Sixth Plenum of the 16th CPC Central Committee was held in Beijing from October 8 to 11, 2006. The plenum adopted the "resolutions of the CPC Central Committee on major issues regarding the building of a harmonious socialist society."

Hu said at the symposium that the CPC Central Committee's decision of focusing on the issue of harmonious socialist society at the Sixth Plenum of the 16th CPC Central Committee was aimed at implementing the guidelines of the 16th CPC National Congress and the Third, Fourth and Fifth plenums of the 16th CPC Central Committee.

Such a decision was also made to speed up the comprehensive construction of a moderately prosperous society and push forward the great socialism cause with Chinese characteristics, Hu said.

Hu said the construction of a harmonious socialist society is an important part of the overall plan of the socialism cause with Chinese characteristics.

The studies and plans regarding this will help boost the all-round progress of socialist economic, political, cultural and social development and ensure that the grand task of the all-round construction of the moderately prosperous society will be achieved, Hu said.

He said that social harmony is a key task of building the moderately prosperous society and efforts made in this regard will help the country mobilize all the positive social factors, take and make good use of the current important strategic opportunities for development and maintain the overall stable situation for reform and opening up.

Hu said the building of a harmonious socialist society will help solve the most practical problems which are related to people's direct interests. It will also help realize, protect and promote the basic interests of the general public, Hu said.

He said that to maintain a stable and harmonious social and political environment in the country will help reinforce the Chinese people's cohesiveness and the country's ability to counter risks so as to better cope with international challenges and risks.

Hu stressed that China's non-communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and non-party affiliated personages have made important contributions to the promotion of social harmony.

Hu said he hoped the non-CPC members and non-party affiliated personages will continue to make efforts in maintaining solidarity and stability and promoting social harmony and assist the Party and the government in boosting coordinated development, enhancing institutional construction, building harmonious cultural environment, improving the public administration and mobilizing social vitality.

He also encouraged them to further investigation and study on the construction of a harmonious socialist society and contribute more advice and ideas.

The participants said they would continue to cooperate closely with the CPC and make their contributions to the construction of a harmonious socialist society.

They also expressed their opinions and proposed advice on the building of new socialist countryside, promoting the harmonious development of human and nature, straightening out income distribution, increasing employment, boosting coordinated development of different regions and promoting educational, cultural and health development, according to the release.

Wu Bangguo, Jia Qinglin and Zeng Qinghong, who are members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the symposium.

(Xinhua News Agency October 13, 2006)