Xi calls on non-Party members to pool wisdom

President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attends a gathering and conveys festive greetings to leaders from non-Communist parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, as well as public figures without party affiliation, ahead of the upcoming Spring Festival at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on Feb 1, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, called on Monday for efforts from non-Party members to actively contribute their suggestions and opinions on improving the country's governance in order to write a new chapter of multiparty cooperation in the new era.

Xi, who is also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remark at a gathering attended by representatives of non-Communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and people without party affiliation.

On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi extended his sincere greetings and best wishes to non-Party members as well as those who are engaged in united front work for the upcoming Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb 12.

He said 2021 marks the first year for the country to implement the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) for National Economic and Social Development and to start the new journey of fully building China into a modernized socialist country. This year, the CPC will celebrate its centenary, he added.

Xi urged non-Party members to firm up their belief in socialism with Chinese characteristics, and uphold and improve the system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation led by the CPC.

He also required them to fulfill their responsibility of pooling wisdom and building consensus in implementing the new development philosophy and building the new development paradigm of "dual circulation" in the new development stage.

Xi praised non-Party members for their contributions in the past year in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that they unswervingly stood with the CPC, helped the Party fight the virus and provided significant support to the CPC Central Committee in scientific and democratic decision-making.

He underlined the need for non-Party members to continue to help the Party and the government to build broader consensus, settle disputes and uphold social stability in order to pool greater strength for adhering to and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

Xi also expressed hope that non-Party members could provide more pragmatic approaches and suggestions to the CPC Central Committee in policymaking and decision-making.