BEIJING -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Saturday took part in an annual gathering with non-CPC members ahead of the Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year.

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, extended his greetings on behalf of the CPC Central Committee to people from non-CPC political parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), persons without party affiliation and members of the united front.

The Spring Festival falls on Feb 1 this year.

The year 2021 was of milestone significance, Xi said. He noted that China has accomplished a number of major and important tasks, overcome many risks and challenges, and prompted significant progress in the endeavors of the Party and the country.

China has responded to a pandemic and other changes unseen in a century with calmness and confidence, and managed to begin the 14th Five-Year Plan period with a good start, Xi said.

"We have consistently implemented routine COVID-19 prevention and control measures, and actively participated in international cooperation against the pandemic," Xi said, adding that China has remained a leading country in both pandemic control and economic development.