People without party affiliation are an irreplaceable and important force in China's socialist modernization drive, said Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao here today.

He made the remark while joining non-party members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in a group discussion at the ongoing CPPCC annual session.

Hu, also a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, urged the CPPCC National Committee members to carry on the fine tradition of cooperating wholeheartedly with the CPC and help the Party and the government do a better job.

These members can play a big role in implementing China's strategy of "developing the nation through science, technology and education," the strategy of achieving a sustainable development, and the strategy to develop the economically backward western areas, Hu said, calling on those members to contribute more to the great cause of realizing complete reunification of the motherland.

The Vice-President also joined panel discussions held by CPPCC National Committee members who represent the Chinese Communist Youth League and the All-China Youth Federation.

He called on Chinese youth organizations to unite young people and encourage them to actively engage in the socialist modernization drive and contribute to the prosperity of the motherland.