BEIJING - Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said authorities will maintain the multi-party cooperation system and support non-communist political parties' roles in political supervision.

Xi made the remarks while meeting the new leaders of China's eight non-communist political parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) on December 24 and 25.

China will improve the multi-party cooperation and political consultation system under the leadership of the CPC and encourage non-communist parties to fully exert their advantages while participating in state affairs, Xi said.

On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi gave congratulations to the new leaders of the eight parties and the ACFIC. He also passed on greetings to members of the parties and the ACFIC.

Under China's multi-party cooperation system, non-communist political parties and the CPC work together and supervise each other.

As of Friday, the eight parties had all held their national congresses and elected new central committees, after the CPC's own leadership transition in November.

While having discussions with the heads of the parties, Xi listened to their suggestions on a series of major issues, including the improvement of working styles, the acceleration of China's economic transformation and the deepening of health care reform.

The new heads of the eight parties, including Health Minister Chen Zhu, head of the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party and Yan Junqi, head of the China Association for Promoting Democracy, expressed resolution to cooperate more closely with the CPC and fulfill their responsibilities.

The eight parties had a total of more than 800,000 members as of the end of 2011, mainly consisting of professionals and academics from multiple sectors, overseas Chinese who have returned to China, people with links to the former Kuomintang (KMT) party and Taiwan residents.

The eight parties have a "galaxy" of talented people and have unique advantages in their respective fields, said Xi.

He said the CPC Central Committee will work and cooperate with the parties, adding that he hopes the parties will unite their members to make new contributions to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Xi also hold a discussion with the new leader of ACFIC, urging the non-governmental chamber of commerce to further promote the healthy development of non-public economic sectors and lead people participating in the private economy to join in building a socialist cause with Chinese characteristics.