President Xi urges solidarity for national rejuvenation

Yu Zhengsheng (2nd L), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, addresses a meeting of the united front work in Beijing, May 20, 2015. The meeting was held in Beijing from May 18 to 20. [Photo/Xinhua]

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.