BEIJING, Feb. 24 -- Top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng on Friday urged united front departments to better encourage people of new social classes to support socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Yu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks Friday at a meeting on uniting people of new social classes.

"Since China's reform and opening up, a number of new social classes have emerged in the country along with changes taking place in Chinese society and economy," Yu said, adding that they had been a major force in China's development.

Yu stressed that it was a key task for the CPC to guide people of new social classes to increase their acceptance of and confidence in socialism with Chinese characteristics.

"The CPC united front departments should take advantage of the Internet to better connect with new social strata members through exchanges and discussions," Yu said.

At the meeting, Sun Chunlan, chief of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, urged the united front authorities to improve their work and make progress to prepare for the 19th CPC National Congress.