China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin met with leaders of religious groups in the country at a symposium on Saturday to welcome the traditional Chinese new year.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), conveyed Spring Festival greetings to the religious circle and believes across the country.

He called on people in the religious circle and various religious groups to make further contributions to social and economic development of the country.

He also asked them to introduce the real situation of religious freedom in China to other countries and regions in the world and play an active role in disaster relief work.

(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2008)