National Day Reception for Overseas Chinese, Compatriots in HK, Macao, TaiwanSome offices under China's State Council jointly held a grand reception here Saturday at the Great Hall of the People for overseas Chinese and compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan to mark the 52nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, which falls on October 1.More than 1,200 guests were present at the reception, including Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Li Ruihuan and Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao, who are both members of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau. The reception was hosted by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council. Qian Qichen, vice-premier and member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee , conveyed holiday greetings to those present at the gathering, and briefed them on the country's development over the past 52 years. China has experienced great reforms that led it from poverty to prosperity, he said. At the recent conference marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of CPC, Chinese President Jiang Zemin delivered an important speech on the concept of the "Three Represent's," which will guide Chinese people in promoting reforms, opening up and modernization. Qian urged people from all walks of life in the mainland and the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions to work together to implement basic law and the "One Country, Two Systems" policy so as to maintain rapid development and stability. Qian noted that China's reunification is one of three major tasks of the Chinese people in the new century. He said that it is the common aspiration of all Chinese people in Taiwan and on the mainland to increase direct exchanges across the Taiwan straits. "We will continue to carry out the policy of 'peaceful reunification and one country, two systems' and the eight-point proposals raised by Chinese President Jiang Zemin for early reunification of the motherland," he said. Qian also briefed the guests on Beijing's success in its bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games, China's entry into the World Trade Organization and the western development strategy, which will promote China's reform, opening up and economic development. He called for more efforts and contributions of overseas Chinese and compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan to the China's modernization and peaceful reunification. Among those who were present at the reception were leaders of the CPC, the National People's Congress, the CPPCC and central government Li Tieying, Zhang Wannian, Jia Qinglin, Zeng Qinghong, Peng Peiyun, He Luli, Xu Jialu, Ismail Amat, Wang Zhongyu, Wang Zhaoguo, Qian Weichang, Luo Haocai and Zhang Kehui. |
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