Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, presided over a symposium attended by members of non-Communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and representatives without party affiliations on Jan 29.

The symposium solicited opinions on a draft government work report and the draft 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035.

Vice-Premier Han Zheng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting.

Premier Li said inviting non-Communist members to make suggestions for the report and 14th Five-Year Plan is a major manifest of China's system of CPC-led multiparty cooperation and political consultation, and a necessity for the government to make scientific and democratic decisions and accept supervision.

According to those at the meeting, 2020 was an extraordinary year.

Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, China has made tremendous and hard-won achievements in the battle against COVID-19 and for greater social and economic development, they said.

At the same time, the nation also achieved its goal in eradicating absolute poverty, a decisive step in building a moderately well-off society in an all-around way.

The participants also shared their opinions and suggestions on this year's work of the government and the development in the 14th Five-Year Plan period.

Wan Exiang, chairman of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, contributed his suggestions on releasing consumption potential and improving the consumption environment.

Ding Zhongli, chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, talked about macro control and pollution.

Hao Mingjin, chairman of the Central Committee of the China National Democratic Construction Association, said public services should be evenly distributed and more work should be done to protect germ plasm resources.

Cai Dafeng, chairman of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy, proposed improving basic research and promoting common prosperity.

He Wei, executive vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, shared his opinions on the new development pattern and people's benefits.

Wan Gang, chairman of the Zhigong Party Central Committee, put forward his suggestions on targeted epidemic prevention and the role of new energy in peaking carbon dioxide emissions.

Wu Weihua, chairman of the Central Committee of the Jiusan Society, talked about supporting enterprises in research and development and renovation of old residential communities.

Su Hui, chairman of the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, suggested improving the comprehensive transportation system in the Yangtze River Delta and developing Internet Plus medical care.

Gao Yunlong, chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, gave suggestions on building a sound business environment and modern industrial system.

Zhou Zhonghe, a representative of people without a party affiliation, said the government needs to give more support to key State laboratories, and better guarantee people's health.

Premier Li expressed his gratitude to the non-Communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and those without party affiliations for supporting the government's work.

He said there are still many challenges and uncertainties in the country's development, and efforts should be made to maintain consistency, stability and sustainability of macro-level policies, and strengthen reform and opening-up while centering on the demands of market entities and people.

He also called for more work to make technologies a stronger strategic force, invigorate market entities and social creativity, unleash domestic consumption potentials and improve people's livelihoods.

The State Council will study and absorb their suggestions and effectively perform government tasks, Premier Li said.

He asked for joint efforts to keep economic operations in an appropriate range and promote high-quality development, making a good start for the 14th Five-Year Plan period.

Vice-premiers Sun Chunlan, Hu Chunhua, and Liu He, You Quan, head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, state councilors Wang Yong, Xiao Jie and Zhao Kezhi, vice-chairs of the CPPCC National Committee Chen Xiaoguang, Zheng Jianbang, Gu Shengzu, Liu Xincheng, and Shao Hong also attended the symposium.