BEIJING -- President Xi Jinping on Monday attended a gathering in Beijing and extended Spring Festival greetings to leaders from non-Communist parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), and personages without party affiliation.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, expressed his hope that they will make new and greater contributions to the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

Senior officials Wang Yang and Han Zheng attended the gathering.

Gao Yunlong, chairman of the ACFIC, addressed the gathering on behalf of the central committees of non-Communist parties, the ACFIC and personages without party affiliation.

Xi said China has kept its economic growth within a reasonable range during the past year, noting that institutional reforms of the Party and the state have been comprehensively promoted along with other reforms, and China's level of opening-up has seen constant improvement.

The year 2018 was the first year since new leaders of non-Communist parties and the ACFIC were elected, Xi said, noting that central committees of non-Communist parties, the ACFIC and personages without party affiliation have actively offered advice and suggestions and provided important references for the scientific decision-making and effective policy execution of the CPC Central Committee.

On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi expressed gratitude for their work including the active role played in poverty alleviation.

Noting that pursuing progress while ensuring stability was the underlying principle of the current and future work of the Party and the country, Xi urged to pursue progress while ensuring stability in both economic and social development.

He called on non-Communist parties, the ACFIC and personages without party affiliation to unite the people in promoting reform and development, adding that they should follow closely the policies and decisions made by the CPC Central Committee while giving full play to their expertise and wisdom.

Calling investigation and research the foundation of making correct decisions, Xi said that more investigations and research should be made in addressing prominent issues in the work of the Party and the country, including forestalling and defusing major risks, carrying out targeted poverty alleviation and preventing and controlling pollution.

Xi also called on the ACFIC to fulfil the CPC Central Committee's requirements on supporting the growth of private businesses and help to implement policies of promoting the development of medium-sized, small and micro enterprises and private investment.