Facts have proven that overseas Chinese, Chinese residing aboard and their relatives are an important force behind the realization of the entire nation's revitalization, said a senior CPC official on Tuesday.

Wang Zhaoguo, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), delivered a congratulatory speech at the seventh congress of returned overseas Chinese and their relatives on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council.

In his address, Wang expressed sincere hopes that the returned overseas Chinese and their relatives would make new contributions to China's modernization construction.

He also hoped that they could make new contribution to the country's reunification cause, saying that returned overseas Chinese have acknowledged that reunification brings welfare to the people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, while separation will lead to disaster.

He urged the returned overseas China to adhere to the principle of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems", build up a cross-strait bridge based on common cultural traditions, national feelings and state interests, push forward personnel, economic and cultural communications across the Taiwan Straits, firmly oppose to separatist activities in any form in an effort to realize the eventual reunification of the motherland at an early date.

Wang hoped returned overseas Chinese and their relatives could make new contribution to the spreading of Chinese culture, saying that they should try their best to introduce traditional Chinese culture to overseas lands through various means of international exchanges.

He hoped returned overseas Chinese and their relatives could make new achievements in promoting friendship between Chinese people and the people all over the world by introducing China's remarkable achievements in reform and opening-up drive and the country's modernization course.

He urged governments and Party committees at all levels to safeguard rights of returned overseas Chinese and their relatives in accordance with relevant laws, regulations and policies and to resolve their difficulties whenever in need.

He also urged overseas Chinese to abide by the laws in their residing countries, respect social and ethnic customs, live with people of their residing countries in a friendly way in an effort to enhance the friendship between the Chinese people and people all over the world.

Approximately 1,000 representatives from across China and more than 100 specially-invited guests from the overseas Chinese circles worldwide attended the congress.

(Xinhua News Agency July 21, 2004)