China's leaders celebrate New Year with political advisors (3)

He said China will hold hands with people around the world to carry forward the lofty cause of peace and development of mankind.

In his speech, Xi urged the non-communist parties and people of various walks of life and ethnic groups in the CPPCC to stick to the multi-party cooperation and political consultation system under the leadership of the CPC.

He called on them to fully exert the CPPCC's functions of relations coordination, wisdom and power gathering, providing suggestions and serving the overall situation to promote harmony among parties, ethnic groups, religions, different social layers, and compatriots at home and abroad, said Xi.

He stressed that "many hands make light work", calling for all non-communist parties and people of all ethnic groups in the CPPCC to be united and make joint efforts to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The party was presided over by Jia Qinglin, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee.

The leaders were joined by senior members of the central committees of non-Communist parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, people without party affiliation, officials of the central government and representatives from a variety of professions and ethnic groups in Beijing.