Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji praised the counselors of the State Council and local governments for their contributions to the country's economic construction and social development on November 11.

He offered his praise while meeting counselor representatives who are here attending a meeting to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Counselor's Office in the State Council.

He said that in the past 50 years, the Communist Party of China and the governments have always attached great importance to the work of counselors, which have proved to be very important and valuable.

He noted that most counselors are influential and revered non- Communists, adding that they have offered useful advice to the government and reported public opinion, something very important for state decision making.

With their specialties and social influence, the counselors have made great contributions to the country's economic construction, social development and national reunification, he added.

He expressed the hope that they will continue to make contributions to China's modernization and reform and opening up policies.

The counselor's meeting, organized by the Counselor's Office in the State Council, recalled the 50 years of counseling work and discussed their new tasks in the 21st century.

Counselor representatives at all government levels across the country attended the meeting.