A senior Chinese leader called for consolidating and developing the most popular united front in the country in Beijing Wednesday.
Li Ruihuan, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the call at the closing of the three-day National Conference on the United Front Work.
Li, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau, urged to study President Jiang Zemin's important speech on the united front delivered at the opening session of the conference.
Jiang, in his speech, summed up the achievements and experience on the united front, describing its role and status, clarifying its situation and tasks, and emphasizing to strengthen and improve the CPC's leadership on the work, the CPPCC leader said.
He quoted Jiang as saying that to consolidate and develop the broadest patriotic united front calls for adhering to the theme of unity and alliance.
The goal of the united front is to mobilize every possible active factor and turn a negative factor into an active one, so as to unite as many forces as possible, he said.
The two-decade-old reform and opening-up drive has brought about huge changes as well as complicated phenomena, including negative things, to the country, Li said, noting that China is experiencing economic and social diversity that was unimaginable in the past.
The CPPCC leader urged to study the ever-changing situation in a bid to unite the forces that can be really united. To realize a wide range of unity, an alliance must focus on the interests of the majority, Li stressed.
He called for bringing into full play China's political advantages, improving the social readjustment system, and increasing by civilians' orderly participation in politics.
He urged to take care of and help those in difficulty, to safeguard their legal rights, and ensure their basic life.
Also present were Ding Guan'gen and Luo Gan, who are both members of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau. The session was presided over by Wang Zhaoguo, a vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee and head of the United Front Department of the CPC Central Committee.
(Xinhua 12/07/2000)
