Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has called for multiparty cooperation to better meet the needs of the new era of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics.

Xi, who is also president and the chairman of the Central Military Commission, expressed the hope when he attended a gathering in Beijing on February 6 and extended Spring Festival greetings to representatives of non-Communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and those without party affiliation.

Non-Communist parties and their members have conducted in-depth research and made more than 150 policy suggestions in 2017, said Xi.

Leaders of the non-Communist parties introduced the latest successful elections of their party leaderships.

They also briefed on how they are studying the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

Xi said studying and fulfilling the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress is the top political priority of non-Communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and those without party affiliation.

Multiparty cooperation should focus on research, study, new insights and policy advice on preventing and eliminating major risks, targeted poverty relief and the fight against pollution, Xi said.

The non-Communist parties and their members should further advance their supervision of the nation's poverty relief efforts, and help create ideal conditions for a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society, Xi said.

He called on non-Communist parties to promote their capability in policy advice.

The history and tradition of multiparty cooperation in China will be commemorated this year with an education campaign to renew commitment to multiparty cooperation and take it forward, according to Xi.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the CPC Central Committee's statement of May 1, 1948, which has been viewed as a milestone in multiparty cooperation. Non-Communist parties warmly welcomed the call made by the CPC in the statement for convening a political consultative conference at an early date.

Xi said a series of commemorative events would be held to mark the anniversary.

(Chinadaily.com.cn February 7, 2018)