Chinese Communist Party and government leaders celebrated the New Year of 2003 with a party organized by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing Wednesday.
Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao, Li Peng, Zhu Rongji, Li Ruihuan, Li Lanqing, Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Zeng Qinghong, HuangJu, Wu Guanzheng, Li Changchun and Luo Gan attended the celebration, joined by leading officials of non-Communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and representatives of central government departments and of all ethnic groups and all trades.
Addressing the party, Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao extended cordial greetings to all non-Communist parties, mass organizations, people of all social sectors, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, overseas Chinese and foreign friends who supported China's modernization drive.
Hu, who is also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), said the united front is an effective weapon for the CPC to unify the country's various sectors and achieve victories in revolution, economic construction and reform.
In the new century, he said, the CPC will further develop the patriotic united front, adhere to and improve the multi-party cooperation and political consultation system, bring every possible factor into play and strive for the rejuvenation of China.
He expressed the hope that the CPPCC would learn from its experiences, carry forward its fine traditions, keep on the two major tasks of democracy and unity, do a better job in democratic supervision, participate in state affairs and contribute more to China's reform and modernization drive.
Hu also called for the continuity and stability of China's macroeconomic policy, as well as speedy and healthy economic growth.
He stressed the need to continue implementing various measures designed to expand domestic demand. He said it is necessary to speed up economic restructuring and the development of the rural economy and new industries.
Li Ruihuan, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, wished everyone present good health, fortune in their work and happiness in life.
Li Ruihuan called on all CPPCC members to rally around the CPC Central Committee with Hu Jintao at the core, implement the "Three Represents" important thought and the essence of the 16th National Congress of the CPC, exercise the functions of the CPPCC and contribute more to building socialism with Chinese characteristics.
(People's Daily January 2, 2003)
