Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), has called for greater efforts to build a harmonious society in China and promote economic development in areas around the Bohai Sea including Beijing and Tianjin.

During his 3-day inspection tour of Tianjin that ended Tuesday, Jia exchanged views with the local people in factories, schools, communities and towns, and praised the city's achievements in economic and social development.

Jia, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, urged the local government and people to work hard in building the Binhai new district and contribute to Tianjin's long-term development and economic development in the Bohai-ring area.

He stressed the importance of grass-roots units in the building of a socialist harmonious society, saying it was vital to build more harmonious neighborhood communities, villages and towns.

Jia asked CPPCC organizations at various levels and united front work departments in Tianjin to "provide governments with more reliable reference and advice on economic and social development," and "assist the governments in resolving social problems and safeguarding social stability."