Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party opens national congress

BEIJING, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party (CPWDP), one of the country's eight non-communist parties, began its 14th national congress here on Tuesday.

Jia Qinglin, member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau, attended the opening session and delivered a congratulatory message on behalf of the CPC Central Committee.

Jia is also chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Luo Haocai, vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee and chairman of the China Zhi Gong Dang, spoke on behalf of other non-communist parties in the country.

Jiang Zhenghua, chairman of the CPWDP Central Committee, submitted a report on the work of the 13th Central Committee of the CPWDP.

The CPWDP, originally called the "Provisional Action Committee of the Kuomintang", was founded in August 1930 in Shanghai by some of the left-wingers of the Kuomintang and other patriotic intellectuals. It changed into the present name in 1947.

The CPWDP now has branches in 30 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government, with more than 99,000 members. Its members are mainly senior and leading intellectuals in the medical field.