An editorial of the People's Daily has called on China's top political advisory body to made due contributions to help the country weather through difficulties as 2009 is a crucial year to deal with major domestic and international challenges.

The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) should regard "maintaining the steady and relatively fast development of the national economy" as its primary task when it carries out its functions, said the editorial, which is to be published by the mouthpiece of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Tuesday.

The year of 2009 marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of New China as well as the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the CPC leadership.

The CPPCC is considered an important institution of the system. Unity and democracy are two major themes of the CPPCC, the editorial said.

The CPPCC has fully carried out its functions of political consultation, democratic supervision and participation in the discussion and management of state affairs in the past 60 years, it said.

It should continue to take advantage of its abundant talent resources, practice the Scientific Outlook on Development, and shoulder the responsibility of promoting social harmony and stability, the editorial said.

The Second Session of the CPPCC's 11th National Committee will open Tuesday afternoon and last nine days.

(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2009)