Jia Qinglin, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), delivers a speech during the CPPCC's opening ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing March 3, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

BEIJING - China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin Saturday vowed to further efforts in stimulating a "steady and robust" development of the country's economy and promoting social stability.

Jia made the pledge in a report delivered at the opening meeting of the Fifth Session of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the top political advisory body, which opened in Beijing Saturday.

Jia, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, said the tasks of the CPPCC are heavy in 2012 as it is an important year for carrying forward the implementation of the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015). Besides, the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), which has "immense and far-reaching significance," will also be held this year.

Jia promised the CPPCC will play its role well in "coordinating relations, pooling strengths, providing proposals and advice to policymakers."

He said the CPPCC will fully understand the historical necessity of the birth and development of the system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC and the unique features and advantages of the socialist political system with Chinese characteristics, adhere to the leadership of the CPC more conscientiously, and follow the socialist path with Chinese characteristics more resolutely.

Jia said the CPPCC will make giving impetus to scientific development the top priority when carrying out its duties, vigorously develop the real economy and maintain steady and robust economic development.

The CPPCC will coordinate democratic parties, industrial federations and related organizations in making proposals and suggestions on major economic issues such as expanding domestic consumer demand and maintaining price stability, he said.

Jia called promoting social harmony and stability a "bounden duty" of the CPPCC. He said a consultative meeting on how to strengthen and make innovations in social administration will be held this year.

The CPPCC will also carry out investigations, studies, deliberation and democratic oversight on major issues in social development, including strengthening the development of institutions and mechanisms for social administration, improving supervision of non-public economic organizations and social organizations, deepening reform of the income distribution system, Jia said.

He also pledged to give impetus to cultural reform and development by taking advantage of the CPPCC's rich pool of people with outstanding cultural talent as well as its substantial quantity of cultural resources.

Jia promised to deepen development of pragmatic exchanges with Taiwan, and get the people of Taiwan, especially young people, to identify more closely with the Chinese nation and culture.

He vowed to make greater use of the CPPCC's special advantages in developing friendly external relations in line with China's overall arrangements for its diplomatic work in order to create a favorable external environment and conditions for the smooth implementation of the 12th Five-Year Plan.

"We will actively exchange high-level visits with foreign countries, strengthen and develop traditional friendships, increase mutual political trust with relevant countries, and strive to win the international community's understanding of and support for China's concept of scientific, harmonious, peaceful, and cooperative development," said Jia.

He also recalled the work over the past year, saying "the CPPCC made important contributions to implementing the 12th Five-Year Plan and winning new victories in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects."

The annual session of CPPCC National Committee this year is scheduled to conclude on March 13. More than 2,000 members of the CPPCC National Committee will discuss major issues concerning the country's development during the period.

Top CPC and state leaders Hu Jintao, Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang, and Zhou Yongkang attended the opening meeting.

Founded in 1949, the CPPCC consists of elite figures of the Chinese society who are willing to serve the think tank for the government and for the legislative and judicial organs.

As an open forum where the ruling CPC, non-Communist parties and people without party affiliation discuss state affairs freely and on an equal footing, the CPPCC has been the manifestation of China' s socialist democracy.

The meeting was broadcast live on the China National Radio, China Central Television (CCTV) and China Radio International.

The country's major news websites, including www.xinhuanet.com run by ?Xinhua News Agency, www.people.com.cn run by the People's Daily, www.china.com.cn run by the China International Publishing Group and www.cctv.com of the CCTV also covered the opening meeting.