"The fundamental task of the united front is to win people's hearts and mobilize all forces to reach the grand goal of the Party and the country," Jiang said at a national conference on united front work held in Beijing Monday.

The work of the united front is a magic weapon and a long-term principle of the Party, he noted, stressing that only by developing the broadest patriotic united front and uniting all the Chinese people can the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation be assured.

China is striving for modernization by the middle next century, a heavy task which requires the enthusiasm and creativity of all the Chinese people, he said, adding that the broadest patriotic united front will help create a sound social and political environment for the purpose.

Jiang pointed out that the key to developing socialist democratic politics is to strengthen the construction of socialist political system, including the multi-party cooperation under the leadership of the CPC so that the will of the people will be fully reflected in the state's political and social life.

The system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC is the country's basic political system, Jiang said, asking Party committees at all levels to consult with the non-Communist parties before they make any major decisions and consciously receive supervision from the parties and the people.

Jiang also placed special emphasis on the important roles of intellectuals, ethnic groups and private enterprise owners in the united front work.

He said that intellectuals are playing an increasingly important role in the country's reform, opening up and modernization drive, urging officials at all levels to fully hear suggestions and proposals from them and help them give full play to their talents.

Jiang called for properly handling the issues of ethnic groups, religions and speeding up economic development in the areas inhabited by ethnic groups, saying that it is of great importance to the country's unity, stability and reunification.

The non-public economy is an important part of the socialist market economy, Jiang said, adding that more efforts should be made to encourage the fast development of a non-public economy, including the private economy.

On the issue of reunification of the country, Jiang said that to solve the issue of Taiwan and realize the complete reunification of the motherland is the trend of the times and the desire of the Chinese people.

"We shall give full play to the patriotic enthusiasm of all parties, groups and personnel within the united front and unite all the Chinese including the compatriots in Taiwan to fight against 'Taiwan Independence' and other splitist activities to promote the early reunification of the motherland in accordance to the principle of One Country, Two Systems," Jiang said.

He said that ties will be enhanced with compatriots in Taiwan and overseas Chinese of various background as long as they stick to the One China principle and support the country's reunification so as to create a political situation in which all the Chinese people will commit themselves to the reunification cause.

Senior Party and government officials including Li Peng, Zhu Rongji, Hu Jintao and Wei Jianxing were present at the conference which was presided over by Li Ruihuan, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

(Xinhua 11/4/2000)