China's political advisors convened Tuesday afternoon for their annual full session, focusing their major concerns on economy while the impacts of the global financial turmoil unfolded.
Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), urged his colleagues at the opening session to contribute to the work of maintaining steady and relatively rapid economic development this year.
"Maintaining steady and relatively rapid economic development is the primary task of this year's economic work, as well as the focus of the CPPCC in executing its functions and serving the overall interests of the country," Jia said in a report on the work of the CPPCC National Committee's Standing Committee.
"We must...accord highest priority to maintaining steady and relatively rapid economic development, take safeguarding social harmony and stability as our primary responsibility (this year)," Jia added.
The top political advisor said the year 2009 marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of New China and the CPPCC, and the year is crucial for properly responding to the global financial crisis and promoting further development of the cause of the Party and the country.
China's economic growth slowed to 6.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008, dragging down the annual rate to a seven-year low of 9 percent, as the unfolding global financial crisis takes a toll on the national economy.
Zhao Qizheng, spokesman of the advisory session, told press Monday economic recovery topped the advisors' concerns this year.