The fifth general assembly of Suzhou Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Association(SZEUPPA) was held on October 29, 2014 with the attendance of 83 members. Officials present at the meeting included Zhou Xiangqun, Standing Committee Member of CPC Suzhou Municipal Committee and Director of CPC Suzhou United Front, Vice Director Gu Xiangen of Standing Committee of Suzhou Municipal People’s Congress, Vice Mayor Sheng Lei and Vice Chairman Xie Ming of Suzhou Municipal Political Consultative Conference.
Currently living in Suzhou are 180,000 people of 55 minority ethnic groups, of which 150,000 are on mobile population. Suzhou Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Association plays the role of bridge to assist the government departments to implement the Party’s ethnic policies, unite the broad masses of ethnic minorities, and protect their legitimate rights and interests. The association carries out election at expiration of office term every five years, with all its members from every field of endeavor in Suzhou.
At the meeting, The Work Report of the 4th Council of Suzhou Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Association was delivered and deliberated, and The Constitution of Suzhou Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Association (Revision Draft) was passed. At the same time, the new generation of leadership was elected, with Gong Changyi as president, Tian Taicu, Tan Gengyuan, Ma Huimin, Gesang Quzong, Jin Shouming and Yun Hasi as vice presidents, and Tian Taicu as secretary-general.
In her speech, Zhou Xiangqun requested that in the new situation for deepening reform, the newly elected leadership should more unswervingly stick to solve the ethnic problems by methods with Chinese characteristics, be more skillful in playing the role of a bridge, and give prominence to improvement of ethnic affairs management capabilities and modernization of system.
Some religious communities represented by The Buddhist Association of Suzhou expressed congratulations.
