The Ninth National Congress of the China Association for Promoting Democracy (CAPD) opened in Beijing Monday.
The congress' major tasks consist of studying the Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thoughts contained in the "Three Represents," and the guidelines of the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) that was held in mid November.
At the congress, delegates will hear and discuss the work report issued by the 10th central committee of CAPD.
Liu Yunshan, member of both the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, extended congratulations to the congress on behalf of the CPC central committee.
Liu said the CAPD should fully carry out its role as the CPC's close friend, continue to involved itself in the government work and political affairs and exercise its democratic supervision over Party and government work.
Building a well-off society in an all-round way, accelerating the pace of socialist modernization and rejuvenating the nation on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, he noted, constitutes the great historic mission both history and the era had entrusted to the Chinese people.
The CAPD should work hard together with the CPC to contribute to the effectively accomplish of this mission, Liu said.
(Xinhua News Agency December 17, 2002)