Zhigong Party pledges to improve political participation

China Zhigong Party, a non-communist political party, has pledged to improve the way it participates in deliberation and administration of state affairs.

The party made the pledge as it opened its 14th National Congress on Monday in Beijing.

Wan Gang, standing chairman of the congress's presidium, delivered a work report at the opening ceremony on behalf of the party's 13th Central Committee.

Wan pledged in his report that China Zhigong Party will further study the spirit of the Communist Party of China's (CPC) 18th National Congress, further consolidate ideological and political foundation of China's multi-party cooperation system.

China Zhigong Party will also promote its comprehensive capability to participate in deliberation and administration of state affairs, and actively expand the party's connections with overseas communities, Wan said.

Also at the ceremony, Zhang Dejiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, gave a congratulating speech on behalf of the CPC Central Committee.

Zhang said the China Zhigong Party has made an important contribution to the nation's independence and people's liberation as well as the country's development, progress and peaceful reunification.

With about 20,000 members, China Zhigong Party was founded in October 1925. It mainly comprises of overseas Chinese who returned to mainland, relatives of nationals living abroad as well as those with close connections with overseas Chinese.

Zhang said that the multi-party cooperation and political consultation system led by the CPC had witnessed prosperous development in the past five years, and the CPC will give full play to the system to add more vitality to socialist democracy.

The CPC believed that China Zhigong Party, under its new leadership to be elected during the congress, will hold up socialism with Chinese characteristics and make more of a contribution in encouraging overseas Chinese and those who returned to mainland to engage in China's socialist modernization construction, the country's peaceful reunification, and the nation's rejuvenation, Zhang said.

Sang Guowei, chairman of Central Committee of Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, also gave a speech on behalf of the country's other non-communist parties.

Sang said that China Zhigong Party had made an active contribution to the country's economic and social development which had won wide acclaim from all circles.

The 14th National Congress of China Zhigong Party will be held from Dec. 3 to 6, during which an amendment to the party's constitution will be passed and its 14th Central Committee will be elected.