The importance of ethnic unity and social stability were among the major themes at the start of the 8th National Congress of Returned Overseas Chinese and their Relatives, which opened Tuesday in Beijing.

The All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese chairman, Lin Jun, delivered the federation's work report, looking back on the past five years, at the Great Hall of the People.

"Ethnic unity and social stability is in the interest of the Chinese people, including all ethnic groups," Lin said.

Lin appealed to members to introduce to overseas Chinese the truth about the July 5 riot in Urumqi, expose the nature of hostile forces at home and abroad, and keep people updated about economic and social development in regions inhabited by ethnic groups.

There are 30 million returned overseas Chinese in China.

The July 5 riot was triggered by neither ethnic problems nor religious problems, said Wang Yonggang, chairman of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Association of Returned Overseas Chinese.

Wang said overseas anti-China separatists, who wanted Xinjiang to break away from China, were the instigators. And Wang said World Uyghur Congress leader Rebiya Kadeer, a separatist, does not represent Uygur people.

"We should safeguard ethnic unity as much as we care about our life," Wang said.

"Xinjiang is called the 'west gate' of China and people in Xinjiang have the responsibility of guarding the gate," Wang said.

It is estimated that Xinjiang has about 500,000 returned overseas Chinese and 1 million overseas Chinese originated in Xinjiang.

In his work report, Lin said the federation will further unite overseas Chinese and returned ones in the coming five years for the good of Chinese at home and abroad.

"Defending benefits of overseas and returned Chinese is the basic responsibility of the federation," he said.

The federation will encourage members to play a constructive role in the country's modernization, peaceful reunification and cultural exchanges.

More than 1,100 representatives from across the country and 340 overseas guests took part in the opening ceremony.

The first congress was held in October 1956 in Beijing. The congress is now held once every five years.

(China Daily July 15, 2009)