President Hu Jintao said on Saturday that China will continue its efforts to promote multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Addressing a group of leaders representing non-communist parties, a national industry and commerce federation and noted figures with non-party affiliation, Hu, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, called on them mobilize their members to contribute their wisdom to the country's task of building a well-off society.

He said they should continue to give priority to participation in the country's political life to contribute more in the country's efforts for sustainable, fast, coordinated and healthy economic development and social progress.

They should help the CPC and the central government in solving major issues and improving their work, Hu said.

Vice-President Zeng Qinghong also attended the gathering, which was presided over by Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Leading members of eight non-communist parties include He Luli, chairwoman of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, Cheng Siwei, chairman of the China Democratic National Construction Association and Luo Haocai, chairman of the China ZhiGong Party (Public Interest Party).

Huang Mengfu, chairman of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, also attended the gathering to celebrate the New Year.

(Xinhua News Agency January 18, 2004)