President Jiang Zemin has thrown open the doors of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to the "new classes" of private entrepreneurs and professionals.

In an address marking the 80th birthday of the CCP, Jiang also pointed out the major goal of the party was to raise economic productivity and boost the population's standard of living.

In a surprising move, Jiang, 74, said at the Great Hall of the People that the CCP should absorb qualified members of the new classes so as to boost its "influence and [national] cohesiveness."