Members of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce should contribute all their wisdom and power to the grandiose goal of building an affluent society in an all-round way, said the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee Chairman Jia Qinglin in Beijing Monday.

Jia made the remark at a meeting marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, which now boasts 1.64 million members across the country.

The All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce has devoted itself to the establishment and improvement of a socialist market economy, and promoted the healthy development of the non-state economy, he said.

The organization has proven to be the bridge and link between the government and the non-state sector, and serves as an important force for China's modernization drive, he said.

Jia, also member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, urged CPC committees and governments at all levels to attach great importance to the organization so that it can give full play to its role as an assistant to the government in managing the non-state sector.

(Xinhua News Agency September 30, 2003)