BEIJING, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Top political advisor Jia Qinglin has called on overseas Chinese businessmen to play their unique roles in promoting China's peaceful reunification.

    Jia made the remarks on Wednesday in a meeting attended by representatives of the China Overseas Chinese Entrepreneur Association in Beijing.

Jia Qinglin (C), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, meets the representatives of the China Overseas Chinese Entrepreneur Association, in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2009

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said that overseas compatriots in business circles had made great contributions to the country's opening up and modernization and rendered donations to the Beijing Olympic Games and regions affected by natural disasters.

    Since the start of the global economic downturn, the Chinese government has rendered help to overseas-funded enterprises which met difficulties, Jia said.

Jia Qinglin (1st L), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, meets the representatives of the China Overseas Chinese Entrepreneur Association, in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2009

Jia encouraged overseas Chinese businessmen to play bigger roles in social and economic development of the motherland and promote Sino-foreign economic and cultural exchanges.

    He also urged the businessmen to take an active part in the exchanges across the Taiwan Straits and firmly support China's peaceful reunification.