BEIJING - The Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang (RCCK), one of China's eight non-communist parties, began its 12th national congress on Wednesday.

Zhang Dejiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, delivered a congratulatory address to the RCCK to celebrate the opening of the congress on behalf of the CPC Central Committee.

The RCCK was praised in the address for "sailing in one boat with the CPC in the same direction" since its founding and for making contributions to China's revolution, construction and reform.

Meanwhile, the RCCK was urged to research and offer suggestions on topics including social management and the rule of law as many RCCK members are specialists in social and legal fields.

Conference delegates were also called on to promote cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, capitalizing on their extensive reach to Taiwanese compatriots, in order to facilitate the peaceful reunification of the Chinese nation.

Zhou Tienong delivered a work report on behalf of the 11th central committee of the RCCK.

Zhou said the party should study and implement the spirit of the 18th CPC National Congress, carry on political consultation, democratic supervision and social services, and promote the reunification of China.

A new party central committee will be elected at the congress.

The RCCK was officially founded on January 1, 1948. It had 101,865 members by the end of June, 2012. It is organized into 30 provincial-level party committees, 267 municipal-level ones and 52 county-level ones.

The RCCK membership consists of those related to the Kuomintang Party, those who have historical connections with the RCCK, people in Taiwan, and law professionals, among others.