Chinese president urges artists, writers to contribute to cultural harmony

Chinese President Hu Jintao Friday urged Chinese artists and writers to devote themselves to promoting "cultural harmony" as the country strives to build a "socialist harmonious society".

"The promotion of prosperity of a socialist advanced culture and building cultural harmony is the solemn mission of Chinese artists and writers," Hu said, addressing the opening ceremony of a gathering of Chinese art and literature organizations.

Hu said artists and writers should remain closely connected with the public so that their work reflects people's concerns and wishes.

He also encouraged them to "carry forward the spirit of innovation" and explore new areas of art.

The five-day meeting -- the Eighth Congress of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (CFLAC) and the Seventh Congress of the Chinese Writers Association (CWS)-- attracted more than 2,500 artists and writers from all over China.

State leaders including Hu Jintao, Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Zeng Qinghong, Wu Guanzheng, Li Changchun and Luo Gan attended the opening ceremony.

The CFLAC and the CWS, with 420,000 and 7,700 members respectively, are two leading organizations in China's art and literature circles.

Source: Xinhua