BEIJING, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged authorities to improve the united front work and pool strength for the realization of the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.
Xi made the remarks at a three-day meeting of the united front work, which closed on Wednesday in Beijing.
Long-term unity has greatly contributed to China's economic development, social stability and national unification, according to Xi.
It is fundamental to stick to the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in order to better deal with the united front work under new circumstances, Xi said.
He urged authorities to support the healthy development of the private economy and unite to help people working in the sector.
He also urged dealing well with affairs related to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao and overseas Chinese.
Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), attended the meeting.
Yu told authorities to deal with uniformity and diversity, consolidating the mainstream while tolerating and encouraging dissent and different understandings.
MULTIPARTY COOPERATION
Xi said the multiparty cooperation and political consultation system led by the CPC is mainly demonstrated by the CPPCC, China's top political advisory body.
The system should be improved to ensure that people from democratic parties or without party affiliation can fully participate in political affairs and conduct supervision.
There should be more political discussion and consultation under the system to consensus and optimize decision-making, the president said.
He also asked authorities to support the internal improvement of the democratic parties and enhance their abilities in leadership, participation in politics and cooperation with the CPC.
BEFRIENDING NON-CPC MEMBERS
To unite the non-CPC intellectuals is basic and strategically important, Xi said.
High value should be placed on intellectuals in new economic and social organizations and they should exert their roles in development. Students studying abroad should also be encouraged to return home and serve the country in various ways, said the president.
He called for officials to improve their work style and learn to make friends with non-CPC intellectuals in "doing ideological work".
Xi asked them to establish regular contacts with outstanding intellectuals from new media organizations and strengthen interactions with them both online and in reality, encouraging them to make contributions to purifying cyberspace.
The president also called for expanding the selection and use of non-CPC representatives who consciously accept the leadership of the Party and have strong political abilities. Excellent non-CPC representatives should be guided to grasp the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Officials at all levels should take the lead to participate in important united front work activities and make more true friends from non-CPC communities.
They should be sincere, modest and clean so that they can gain respect from non-CPC members and help them work together with the party, Xi added.
LOCALIZING RELIGIONS
Authorities must value the influence of persons in the religious sphere and guild them to better serve for the nation's development, harmony and unification, Xi said.
"Active efforts should be made to incorporate religions in socialist society," said Xi, adding religions in China must be Chinese.
The development of religions in China should be independent of foreign influence.
He promised to fully implement the Party's policy of religious freedom and manage religious affairs in line with the law.
The President called for a balanced attitude towards religion, taking account of the pros and cons.