The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the top political advisory body, held a special meeting Tuesday, to discuss issues regarding the country's six-year old "Go West" strategy.

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, made a key-note speech, calling for participation of all CPPCC members and joint efforts by the whole Chinese people to accomplish the "long-term and difficult historic task".

Jia urged CPPCC members at national and local levels to further increase their sense of responsibility and mission and continue serving for the promotion of the "Go West" strategy.

Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan and some senior officials from the State Council attended the meeting to hear opinions and proposals from the members of the CPPCC National Committee.

At the meeting, the participants shared their views on a number of topics on bioenvironmental protection, farmer's income, industrial development, and investment in the country's economically backward western region.

(Xinhua News Agency September 6, 2006)