An editorial of the People's Daily hailed opening of the annual session of the CPPCC National Committee, China's top political advisory, on Saturday and urged it to continue to play its role in building a harmonious society and promoting national economic growth.

The fifth session of the Tenth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) opened here on Saturday.

The CPPCC has fully carried out its functions of political consultation, democratic supervision and participation in the discussion and management of state affairs in the past year, said the editorial carried by the mouthpiece of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

It should continue to unite people from all walks of life to contribute to building of a harmonious society and sound and fast growth of the national economy, the editorial said.

The current session of the CPPCC National Committee, an important meeting held before the 17th National Congress of the CPC, will have a significant and far-reaching impact on China's development, said the editorial.

The Constitution of the People's Republic of China provides that the system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China shall exist and develop over a long period of time.

Founded in 1949, the CPPCC is considered an important institution of the system. Unity and democracy are two major themes of the CPPCC

(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2007)