BEIJING, Jan. 19 -- Senior Communist Party official Sun Chunlan has encouraged non-Communist parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) to pool support for China's deepening reforms and the rule of law.

Sun, newly-appointed head of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the comments while visiting the central committees of the eight non-communist political parties and the ACFIC.

Hailing the work of non-communist parties in past years, Sun called on non-communists to enhance their political consensus with the CPC.

She asked the ACFIC to promote healthy development of non-public sectors of the economy.

Chairpersons of the non-CPC parties said Sun's appointment as head of the United Front Work Department shows the CPC Central Committee attaches great importance to united front work and multi-party cooperation.

They said they would make efforts to play a better role in state affairs.

Sun was appointed head of the United Front Work Department in late December, replacing Ling Jihua, who was removed from office after the CPC's discipline agency announced an investigation into him for "suspected serious disciplinary violations."

China has eight non-communist political parties that participate in state affairs under the leadership of the CPC. Under the multi-party cooperation system, the CPC and non-communist parties work together and supervise each other.