Top political advisor stresses uniting overseas Chinese

China's top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng on Thursday stressed uniting people from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, as well as other overseas Chinese, to make greater contributions to China's development. Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks at a meeting with 780 members of the Fourth Executive Council of China Overseas Friendship Association (COFA), a group with close ties to overseas Chinese. Yu, on behalf of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, congratulated the members on the convening of the council meeting. Yu called on the association to unite as many people as possible to propel China's reform, opening up and modernization drive, and to rally them behind President Xi Jinping's call to achieve the Chinese dream. Yu said the association should unswervingly adhere to the principles of "one country, two systems," and unite people from all walks of life in Hong Kong and Macao to support the lawful governance of their respective chief executives and governments. In addition, Yu urged the association to build closer ties with all communities in Taiwan, particularly grassroots communities. The association should also promote closer exchanges with people from other countries in a bid to make China's voices heard in the world and to create a favorable environment for China's national rejuvenation, Yu said. Ling Jihua, vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee and head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, was elected president of the COFA at the council meeting.