国内英语新闻:China's top political advisor meets foreign dignitaries

BEIJING, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese top political advisor Jia Qinglin on Monday met with nearly 60 foreign political leaders and scholars on the eve of a forum to discuss global trends and common challenges.

The forum will take place in Beijing on Tuesday and Wednesday and is organized by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC),the country's top advisory body.

The forum's theme for its fourth conference is "new era, new challenges, new vision -- building a future for all."

"It is significant for the 21st Century Forum to hold a conference on the global situation, challenges and visions," Jia, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, said.

More than 100 officials, scholars and business executives from home and abroad will attend the two-day conference of the 21st Century Forum.

As the world has been undergoing deep changes, transformation and adjustment, it is imperative for all countries to be interdependent, reform the international financial system and build a justifiable and reasonable world order, Jia told the foreign attendees to the forum.

Among the foreign attendees are some well-known dignitaries, including former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, former European Commission President Romano Prodi, former Australian Prime Minister John Howard, former Russian Prime Minister Evgeni Primakov, former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.

Jia briefed foreign leaders on China's economic and social development, stressing China remained the world's biggest developing country despite its economic boom.

"It will take China decades of unremitting efforts to accomplish modernization," Jia said, adding China would adhere to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Jia said China would continue to pursue peaceful development and develop friendly cooperation with all countries in accordance with its independent foreign policy.

Jia reaffirmed China's efforts to play its due part in dealing with global challenges and contributing to world peace and development.

Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo called for all countries to pursue a path of cooperation and common prosperity.

After the meeting, Jia also hosted a welcome banquet for forum attendees.

The 21st Century Forum convened its first conference in 1996. The purpose of the forum is to serve as a platform for leaders, scholars and experts from China and other countries to explore global trends and crucial issues of common interest to mankind in the 21st century.