Chinese top political advisor Jia Qinglin on Friday urged all walks of Chinese society to assist with earthquake relief.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), asked political advisors at all levels to set an example for the public.

Many political advisors, members of political parties, non-political figures and business people have taken an active part in relief work, he said at a fund-raising function.

Sichuan Province in southwest China was hit by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake on Monday and more than 20,000 people have been confirmed dead.

Jia thanked compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan as well as other overseas Chinese for donating money and goods to quake victims and contributing to the relief work.

"We believe the country will recover from the earthquake and people will rebuild their quake-hit towns by working together," he said.

The ceremony was held for political advisors, including two from Hong Kong, to raise money for the China Charity Federation.

(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2008)