Chinese science minister re-elected non-communist party chairman

Wan Gang, China's minister of science and technology, was re-elected chairman of the Central Committee of China Zhi Gong Party, a non-communist political party with about 38,000 members, on Thursday. The party concluded its four-day 14th National Congress on the same day. At the closing ceremony of the congress, Wan told members of the China Zhi Gong Party to enhance their confidence in the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Wan called for pooling the wisdom and strength of Party members to help achieve the goals set forth at the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), which was held last month. In the next five years, the China Zhi Gong Party would also safeguard the rights of overseas Chinese and unite them to serve the country's modernization drive and promote the peaceful reunification of their motherland, he said. Wan, 60, was first elected as the party's chief in 2007. He was appointed minister of science and technology in 2007, making him the first cabinet minister from the non-Communist party since the late 1970s, when China launched its economic reform and opening-up drive. He is also vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Members of the China Zhi Gong Party should improve their capabilities of participating in, and deliberating on, state affairs, according to a statement issued after the national congress. "Party members should better perform their roles as democratic supervisors by reflecting on the social situation and public opinion in order to make government policies that are more in accordance with the fundamental interests of the general public," the statement said. The national congress elected its new central committee composed of 118 members. It also examined a work report by the party's 13th Central Committee and approved a draft amendment to the party's constitution. The China Zhi Gong Party was founded in October 1925 and mainly comprises overseas Chinese who have returned to the mainland, relatives of Chinese nationals living abroad and those who have close relations with overseas Chinese. It is one of eight non-communist parties in China that participate in state affairs under the leadership of the CPC.