Beijing December 21 set up a consultation group consisting of 30 Chinese experts and entrepreneurs who are studying or working overseas.

The group aims to provide consultation and suggestions to related governmental departments on the city's economic and social development in various fields, such as city construction, international investment and the high-tech industry.

The members of the group were selected from 130 overseas Chinese experts, scholars and entrepreneurs between 30 to 50 years old.

The members expressed their wish of contributing to the modernization of the motherland.

Jia Qinglin, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and secretary of the Beijing CPC Municipal Committee, met the group. Jia said that overseas Chinese students and experts are an important part of the country's development.

Governmental sources show that more than 20,000 experts studying overseas have returned to Beijing to work.

(People's Daily 12/22/2000)