Chinese President Hu Jintao said Friday overseas Chinese can contribute more to the country's modernization and reunification.

It is important to pool the wisdom of overseas Chinese and their relatives in this regard, Hu said while joining a panel discussion of political advisors from China Zhi Gong Party and the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese.

The advisors, or members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), are in Beijing to attend the top advisory body's annual session.

Overseas Chinese can help publicize Chinese culture, and enhance the understanding and bolster friendship between the Chinese and people of other countries, the president said.

On the other hand, governments at various levels should make sincere efforts to safeguard the interests of overseas Chinese and those having returned from abroad, Hu said.

Recent years saw a soaring number of overseas Chinese with the country's rapid development.

Statistics from the Foreign Ministry show that by last August, about 675,000 Chinese worked overseas, and more than 10,000 Chinese enterprises had set up businesses in foreign countries.

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, joined the panel discussion.

(CCTV, Xinhua March 7, 2008)