The country's top political adviser, Jia Qinglin, reiterated that the mainland would resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence" secessionist activities at a parliament panel discussion with the country's lawmakers yesterday.

The 1.3 billion Chinese people have the confidence and capability to maintain national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will never allow any person to split Taiwan from China, said Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

The central government's efforts to check "Taiwan independence" secessionist activities and promote the peaceful development of mainland-Taiwan relations last year helped maintain stable ties between the two sides, Jia told a group of deputies of Taiwan origin to the National People's Congress.

Also yesterday, President Hu Jintao urged Party and government officials to better serve the people and live frugally.

"Our life is improving, but we should keep a clear mind and carry forward our glorious traditions," he said during a panel discussion with lawmakers from Chongqing.

The government has taken strong measures to crack down on corruption and build a clean government.

In a separate panel discussion with NPC deputies from the Jilin Province, Wu Bangguo, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, said the draft property law, which had been put forward for deliberation at the NPC session, was a basic law on regulating property ownership and would play a supporting role in the Chinese-style socialist legal system.

Joining the discussion of lawmakers from Guizhou Province, Premier Wen Jiabao called on the people of Guizhou to build more infrastructure projects, develop industries that suit local conditions, curb desertification and continue with their poverty-alleviation efforts.

Senior leaders Zeng Qinghong and Wu Guanzheng, in discussions with lawmakers from Xinjiang and Qinghai respectively, voiced their opinions on a wide range of issues, including building a harmonious society and a new socialist countryside, and the fight against corruption.

Source: Xinhua-China Daily