Advisers to Pool Wisdom, Build Consensus

Wang Yang, the top political adviser, presents a work report at the opening meeting. [Pang Xinglei/Xinhua]

"We must make our common goals a source of momentum and guidance for our actions to build the greatest political consensus among the Chinese nation－to realize the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation," he added.

Wang urged political advisers to integrate efforts to build consensus in all activities, including inspections and visits, surveys and research, and consultations and deliberations.

Developing the CPPCC into a channel for addressing conflicts and achieving consensus relies on such methods as focusing on key, difficult issues, taking into account the needs of particular groups and adapting to the impact of the internet on how people think, he said.

Zhang Lianqi, a national political adviser, said Wang's elaboration on building consensus was enlightening. "The consensus we seek comes through providing inspiration, discussion and acknowledgment from the bottom of one's heart, and is a result of persistent efforts over the long term," he said.

The country needs more than ever to build consensus to meet the complex and severe challenges in this special period when epidemic control and economic and social development are urgent, he added.

Eliza Chan, a CPPCC National Committee member from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said the SAR is facing grim circumstances in which various forces intervene in its affairs and destroy its stability. "We should pool patriotic strengths to resist foreign forces and safeguard Hong Kong's prosperity and stability," Chan said.

Chen Jia and Xinhua contributed to this story.