Support urged for HK, Macao, Taiwan compatriots, overseas Chinese to contribute to Chinese modernization

BEIJING, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- A senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official on Monday called on the China Overseas Friendship Association to actively support compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, as well as overseas Chinese, in contributing to Chinese modernization.

Li Ganjie, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks at an executive directors' meeting of the association in Beijing.

The China Overseas Friendship Association was founded in 1997 to step up contacts between people in the Chinese mainland and those living in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and abroad.

It is a non-profit social organization voluntarily formed by representatives from various sectors and relevant organizations in the mainland, compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and prominent figures among overseas Chinese.

Li noted progress made by the association over the past year in uniting the Chinese people at home and abroad and promoting exchanges and cooperation with Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan compatriots and overseas Chinese, stressing the need to make winning hearts and rallying strength a priority in its work.

Efforts should focus on advancing the successful practice of the "one country, two systems" principle, and playing an active role in driving economic development, fostering social harmony and enhancing effective governance in Hong Kong and Macao, Li said.

He also underscored the need to safeguard and promote national reunification, firmly oppose separatist activities by "Taiwan independence" forces, and promote exchanges and cooperation between China and other countries.