Xi bids New Year's greetings to non-communist parties, personages

BEIJING - General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged non-communist parties to make greater contribution to the accomplishment of ambitious development goals in the new year.

Xi made the remarks at a gathering Friday in Beijing, extending Lunar New Year's greetings to all people from non-communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and those without party affiliations, an official statement said Saturday.

Xi said under the leadership of the CPC, Chinese people have overcome major risks and challenges, and made great achievements in all aspects in the past year.

He said he appreciated the work and efforts of the non-communist parties and personages in providing valued suggestions and ideas in 2015, and he expected even greater contributions from them in the new year.

Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli attended the event to mark the Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb 8 this year.