Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the 15th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) headed by President Jiang Zemin, also chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission, and members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the 16th CPC Central Committee headed by Hu Jintao, the general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, met with all delegates to the 16th CPC National Congress Friday in the Great Hall of the People.

Jiang Zemin, Li Peng, Zhu Rongji, Li Ruihuan, Wei Jianxing, Li Lanqing, and Hu Jintao, Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Zeng Qinghong, Huang Ju, Wu Guanzheng, Li Changchun, and Luo Gan had group pictures taken with the delegates.


Jiang and Hu greeted delegates who in turn extended their sincere greetings to them and other leaders. Jiang and Hu gave important speeches.


Jiang said that the just-concluded 16th CPC National Congress was a united, triumphant and enterprising meeting. He expressed "sincere appreciation" to all Party members for supporting him and the 15th CPC central committee leadership over the past 13 years.


He expressed the belief that under the CPC central committee leadership with Hu Jintao as the general secretary, China would certainly bring about a new situation for its socialist cause with Chinese characteristics. Both the Party and the country would have even better prospects, he said.


Jiang hoped that comrades would unite as one and work hard to make new contributions to the cause of the Party and the people.


Jiang's speech received lasting applauds from the audience.


Hu Jintao said, what Jiang had said was great encouragement and impetus, which should be studied and comprehended carefully so as to be carried out resolutely.


Hu said that the third-generation leadership with Jiang Zemin at the core has made great achievements in reform, opening up and modernization drive, and won sincere respect and support from the whole Party and people of all ethnic groups in the country ever since the fourth plenary session of the 13th CPC Central Committee.


Hu said that to carry forward the Party's cause and forge ahead into the future, many of the third-generation leaders showed a CPC member's exemplary conduct and nobility of character by taking the lead in retiring from their posts in the CPC Central Committee.


"Let us pay sincere tribute to Comrades Jiang Zemin, Li Peng, Zhu Rongji, Li Ruihuan, Wei Jianxing, Li Lanqing and other leaders," said Hu.


"We'll bear in mind what Jiang Zemin has entrusted us, and unswervingly hold high the great banner of Deng Xiaoping Theory, fully implement the important thought of Three Represents, and conscientiously study the spirit of the 16th CPC National Congress, and fulfill tasks set at the Congress," Hu said, calling for solidarity and hard work to usher in a new situation in building socialism with Chinese characteristics.