BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- China should develop the broadest and most compatible united front in history and continue solidifying its alliance with all workers and patriots, said President Hu Jintao Wednesday.

    Consolidating and expanding the united front must be a key task of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in improving its governance, said Hu at a national conference on united front work held from July 10 to 12.

    It was also a key task of building a socialist society with Chinese characteristics and strengthening the cohesion of the nation, said Hu, who is also General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

    Relations -- such as those between the CPC and non-Communist parties, between the Han nationality and ethnic minorities, between religious and non-religious people as well as among different beliefs, between different social classes and between the mainland and Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas compatriots-- must be understood and handled properly.

    Multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC was the key to long-term harmony among parties.

    Equality, solidarity, mutual assistance and harmony among all nationalities were fundamental in dealing with ethnic relations.

    The policy of freedom of religious belief must be comprehensively implemented so as to achieve consensus with religious groups on major issues regarding the leadership of the CPC, the socialist system, national unification and social harmony, said Hu.

    Newly emerged social classes should be respected and united and be guided to the cause of building socialism with Chinese characteristics.

    Exchanges and cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan should be enhanced. The interests of overseas Chinese should be guaranteed to raise their pride and love of the country, he said.

    Finally, Hu stressed that the CPC's leadership of the united front was the fundamental assurance of its future development and should be further strengthened and improved. Enditem