(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-10 21:50

BEIJING - The Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) opened its 16th National Congress here Tuesday.

The Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) opens its 16th National Congress in Beijing on Tuesday. Founded in 1922, the CYLC is a mass youth organization under the leadership of the CPC and plays a supporting role to it. [Xinhua]

Nine members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee -- Hu Jintao, Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang and Zhou Yongkang -- were present at the opening session of the congress.

More than 1,500 delegates from all over the country attended the event.

Founded in 1922, the CYLC is a mass youth organization under the leadership of the CPC and plays a supporting role to it.

The number of CYLC members reached 75.439 million at the end of 2007, up 2.64 percent from 2006. About one in four, or 24.8 percent, of Chinese youth are members, according to the CYLC Central Committee.

Li Changchun, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, addressed the opening session.

He gave high marks to the contributions of the youth organization and young people to China's reform and opening-up drive over the past three decades.

Young people have always been a robust, important force in the process and have strongly promoted social and economic development with their activities, he said.

The official cited the role young people played in disaster relief in the massive snowstorm in the south and east provinces at the beginning of the year and after the May 12 major earthquake that struck southwestern Sichuan Province.

He expressed hope that the youth would grow into a new generation that would shoulder the tasks of the times and do more for the careers of the Party and people.

Six children also addressed the meeting, representing those from the Sichuan quake region, minority ethnic groups, the Beijing Olympic torch bearers and handicapped children.

During the congress, which ends Friday, the CYLC will elect its 16th Central Committee and revise its charter, according to the agenda passed at the preparatory meeting held here Monday.