Top Chinese leaders joined deputies to the National People's Congress and members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in their group discussions Tuesday.

President Hu Jintao stressed a balanced development of rural and urban areas and among the eastern, western and central regions at discussions by NPC deputies from central China province of Hubei.

At the discussions of the Zhejiang NPC deputy delegation, NPC Chairman Wu Bangguo said that the codification of the major theoretical views and major policies fixed at the 16th Party congress has well unified the advocacy of the Party and the will of the people.

CPPCC National Committee Chairman Jia Qinglin told the science and technology group of the CPPCC to be firm in implementing the strategy of "developing the country by relying on science and education" and be bold in technical progress and innovation to provide a strong backing to the people of the whole country in attaining the ambitious goal of building a well-off society in all aspects.

Joining lawmakers from Shanxi Province in their discussions, Vice-President Zeng Qinghong, voiced his views on how to foster and implement the scientific approach to development.

Vice-Premier Huang Ju exchanged views with NPC deputies from Qinghai Province, saying that the amendment to the constitution that has enshrined the important thought of "Three Represents" and the achievements of the reforms and that is conducive to improving the Party leadership, consolidating and developing the basic economic system, political system and social system and to promoting an all-round economic development and social progress.

Wu Guanzheng, head of the CPC Central Disciplinary Inspection Commission, participated in the discussions by deputies from southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. He stressed the importance of cadres taking the lead in studying the Constitution and other laws.

Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attentively listened to the speeches by legislators from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and exchanged views with them on how to improve rural education.

Luo Gan, also a member of the Political Bureau Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee, exchanged views with NPC deputies from Hainan Province on how to fully exploit the province's unique resources.

(Xinhua News Agency March 10, 2004)