BEIJING, March 4 (UPI) -- Stressing social harmony and Taiwan reunification, China began its annual legislative season with a meeting of its top advisory council.
The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference convened in full session in the Great Hall of the People Thursday with group chairman Jia Qinglin delivering the keynote address.
"We shall bring into full play the unique function and role of the people's political consultation ..., contribute to the building of a harmonious socialist society ..., oppose and curb 'Taiwan independence' activities and safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait region," state-run media quoted Jia as saying.
The conference, composed of the elite in Chinese society, both Communist and non-party members, functions as a think tank for the government.
The organization, which has no power to enact or enforce any of its recommendations, was called by Xinhua "the perfect interpretation of China's socialist democracy."
The National People's Congress, the country's national legislature, convenes Saturday.
