Jia Qinglin (C Front), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, poses for a group photo with delegates to the eighth National Conference of Chinese Protestant Churches at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 13, 2008.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese official called for the country's Protestants to make more social and economic contributions during a meeting with their delegates on Sunday.

    Jia Qinglin, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, praised the achievements and contributions that Chinese Protestant churches have made in the past five years.

    The meeting was held to mark the conclusion of the eighth National Conference of Chinese Protestant Churches on Sunday.

    Jia said the Chinese Christian Council and the National Committee of Three-Self Patriotic Movement of the Protestant Churches in China have provided various social services and resisted "foreign sabotage activities".

    It has been proved that Chinese Protestant churches are reliable and active in the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics, he added.

Jia Qinglin (R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, shakes hands with a delegate during his meeting with the delegates to the eighth National Conference of Chinese Protestant Churches at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 13, 2008.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Jia, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said Chinese top leaders have paid much attention to religious affairs and the Political Bureau has recently held a special group study to improve related work.

    He called the Christian organizations to mobilize more believers to play active roles in social and economic development.

    The eighth National Conference of Chinese Protestant Churches was held from Jan. 9 to Jan. 13 during which Fu Xianwei was elected chairman of the National Committee of Three-Self Patriotic Movement of the Protestant Churches in China and Gao Feng was elected president of China Christian Council.