China's top advisor Jia Qinglin met Tuesday with members of the Second Executive Council of the China Overseas Friendship Association (COFA) who gathered in Beijing for their second conference.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said the COFA had organized a number of far-reaching events and activities which had contributed to boosting reform, economic development and social advancement, maintaining the stability, prosperity and development of Hong Kong and Macao, promoting communication and exchanges across the Taiwan Straits and building a peaceful and harmonious world.

Jia urged the association to unite every possible force and mobilize every active factor to serve the construction of China's economy, politics, culture and society under the new situation.

The COFA should unswervingly adhere to the principles of "One Country, Two Systems", "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong", and "Macao people governing Macao," and a high degree of autonomy to boost the long term prosperity, stability and development in Hong Kong and Macao, Jia said.

He said the association should also adhere to the "One China" principle and promote communication and exchanges between Chinese people on mainland and Taiwan compatriots, maintain peaceful and stable cross-Straits relations and serve national reunification.

Source: Xinhua