This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, or CPPCC.

State leaders, including President Hu Jintao, and CPPCC members have just gathered to mark the occasion in Beijing.

A retrospective of the past 60 years, and looking into the future.

Founded in September, 1949, the CPPCC is a patriotic and united front for the Chinese people.

It's an important institution of multi-party cooperation and political consultation led by the Communist Party of China.

It's a key way to promote socialist democracy in China.

The CPPCC consists of elite members of Chinese society. It serves as a think tank for the government and for the country's legislative and judicial organs.

Its main functions are political consultation, democratic supervision and participation in the deliberation and administration of state affairs.

President Hu Jintao has spoken highly of the CPPCC's contributions to China's socialist revolution, construction and reforms.

Hu Jintao, Chinese President, said, "The CPPCC has made tremendous achievements over the past 60 years. It's associated with the growth of the People's Republic of China. The CPPCC aims to realize the prosperity of the country, people's happiness and national unity with all ethnic groups."

President Hu added, that the CPPCC must firmly adhere to two main themes --- unity and democracy.

He expressed hopes that the CPPCC can continue making contributions to furthering China's reform and opening-up, socialist modernization, promoting national unity and safeguarding world peace and common development.

(CCTV.com September 20, 2009）