Hu made the remark during a visit in the past three days to leaders of the eight non-communist parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, which like the CPC elected their new leadership at their recent national congresses.

Hu said he believed both the CPC and non-communist parties would keep to and further develop the long-term tradition of cooperation and better exercise the system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the CPC's leadership.

For a long time non-communist parties had developed a deep friendship with the CPC and contributed much to China's construction and reform, he said.

The recently-convened 16th CPC National Congress had set a new goal to build a well-off society in an all-round way in China, and to achieve that, closer cooperation between the CPC and non-communist parties plus united efforts from all walks of life would be necessary, he stressed.

Hu urged the new leadership of the non-communist parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce to follow the sound tradition and work harder in the process of building socialism with Chinese characteristics.

He hoped that the non-communist parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, known for a galaxy of talent, would play an active role in participating in and discussing state affairs.

The leaders of the non-communist parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce said they would continue standing side by side with the CPC and work for fulfilling the goal set the 16th CPC National Congress.

(Xinhua News Agency December 30, 2002)