A senior official on Sunday called on heads of Chinese religious groups to make greater contributions to the country's reform and modernization and the building of a harmonious socialist society.

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the top advisory body of the country, said at a seminar attended by heads of religious groups that these groups had made considerable progress in their own development last year.

 

While conducting wider exchanges with the religious communities of other countries, the Chinese religious groups worked hard against outside forces trying to infiltrate the fabric of Chinese society under the guise of religion, thereby safeguarding social stability and national security, Jia said. He extended Spring Festival greetings to all religious figures and followers throughout the country on behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and General Secretary Hu Jintao.

 

Jia added that such efforts should be continue for 2006.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 23, 2006)