Chinese top advisor Jia Qinglin on Monday called for the united front to provide comprehensive support for the building of a harmonious society and improve its own work.

Remarkable progress was made by the united front work departments of the Communist Party of China (CPC) last year, the first year of the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-2010), said Jia at a national conference.

This year, the united front would guide the work with the "scientific approach to development", and prioritize its work in dealing with issues of public concern, he said.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), urged all heads of united front work departments across the country to solidify the coalition between CPC and democratic parties and individuals, and close the ties between the Chinese mainlanders and Chinese in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas.

Moreover, he noted the importance of improving the quality of non-Communist members and capacity building of united front work departments.

He also said the united front work must be led by the CPC, which should hear their regular reports and help solve their problems.

The united front work, led by the CPC, refers to efforts to pool resources of different sectors for the national construction.

(Xinhua News Agency January 23, 2007)