China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin in Beijing on Sunday called on religious groups to give full play to the positive role of religion to boost social harmony.

Religious groups should contribute to the unity between religious and non-religious people, and people of different religious beliefs, said Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), at a panel discussion with the country's political advisors from the religious community.

China's social and economic development is at a crucial stage and building a harmonious society needs joint efforts of the whole Chinese nation, including religious groups, Jia, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, told the CPPCC members who convened in Beijing for their annual session.

Jia said that religious circles should try to interpret religious teachings in a way that conforms to the demand for social progress and make contributions to the building of a harmonious socialist society with their wisdom and strength.

He urged religious groups to take boosting harmony as an important part of their work and search for ways religion can serve society and the people.

Jia also called for frequent exchanges between different religions and between religious believers and non-religious people to promote social stability and unity, and the happiness of the people.

The Fifth Session of the Tenth CPPCC National Committee started in Beijing on Saturday, and the annual full session of the Tenth National People's Congress (NPC), or the top legislature, is scheduled to begin on Monday.

(Xinhua News Agency March 5, 2007)