Rough Translation of Statement by President Hu Jintao on Mobilizing Overseas Chinese to Serve China's Rise Reported on March 7 CCTV News Broadcast

CPC Central Committee General Secretary and State President and Central Military Commission Chairman Hu Jintao today called on the members of the Zhi Gong Party and the members of the China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese appointed to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee and engaged in a group discussion with them. The Committee members spoke out enthusiastically offering positive suggestions for national policy. After listening attentively to the suggestions of Lin Zhaoshu, Li Zhuobin, Lin Mingjiang, Wu Chengye, and 7 other members, Hu said that it is important to bring the 17th Communist Party Congress magnificent blueprint into reality. It is necessary to accelerate the process of comprehensive construction of a well-off society. We must continue to emancipate our minds, seek truth from facts, advance with the times, seize the hour and work together, working hard and with determination, to further strengthen the great unity of the sons and daughter of China both at home and abroad . We must make the hearts of overseas Chinese cohere together, consolidating overseas Chinese wisdom, fully exploiting overseas Chinese power, safeguarding overseas Chinese interests, and give full play to the important role of overseas Chinese and returned overseas Chinese in promoting China's modernization, and n promoting the peaceful reunification of the motherland. They have a unique and active role in the dissemination of Chinese culture abroad. And can play a bridging function in the promotion of mutual understanding between the Chinese people and peoples of all countries. They can stand with the whole Chinese nation to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese civilization by to striving together in a concerted effort. Party committees and governments at all levels to must effectively protect the interests of overseas Chinese and returned overseas Chinese and take the fundamental interests of overseas Chinese as the starting point and goal of the overseas Chinese work and sincerely resolve tough issues, and do good things, and do practical things to serve them. Jia Qinglin took part in the visit and discussion.

The Chinese original can be found at: http://news.cctv.com/china/20080307/105901.shtml


Comment: I am disturbed by the idea that the Chinese authorities identify Canadians of Chinese origin as overseas members of "the Chinese nation." When Chinese leaders visit Canada, in my opinion too much of their scheduled program in our country is taken up by activities conducted in the Chinese language directed at Canadians of Chinese origin.