On the eve of the New Year, Chinese President Hu Jintao delivered a speech entitled "Make
Joint Efforts to Advance the Lofty Cause of Peace and Development
for Mankind".
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December 31, 2007
Make Joint Efforts to Advance the Lofty
Cause of Peace and Development for Mankind
--- 2008 New Year Speech
Hu Jintao, President of the People's
Republic of China
President Hu Jintao
delivered 2008 New Year Speech on Monday, December 31,
2007.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Comrades and Friends,
As the clock counts down the few remaining hours to the Year
2008, through China Radio International, China National Radio and
China Central Television, I am very delighted to extend New Year
greetings to Chinese people of all nationalities, our compatriots
in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special
Administrative Region, and in Taiwan, overseas Chinese and our
friends of various countries around the world.
The year 2007 saw new changes in the world and China has also
made new progresses. Chinese people have continued to work shoulder
to shoulder in building a well-off society in an all-round way.
China's comprehensive national strength has further strengthened
and people's livelihood has further improved. Chinese people have
boosted exchanges and cooperation with people of various nations,
actively engaged in the proper settlement of issues in the world's
hot spots, and pushed for the building of a harmonious world of
lasting peace and common prosperity. The 17th National Congress of
the Communist Party of China, which convened two months ago, mapped
out the grand blueprint for continuing to build a well-off society
in an all-round way under new circumstances and accelerating
socialist modernization. Chinese people from all ethnic groups are
making full use of their diligence and wisdom to make new efforts
to write a new chapter for a better life.
2008 will be a significant year for Chinese people as we will
mark the 30th anniversary of China's opening up and reform.
Initiated in 1978, the reform and opening-up drive is a crucial
option that determines the fate of contemporary China. It has
brought historic changes to socialist China. We will continue
unwaveringly to hold high the great banner of building socialism
with Chinese characteristics, fully implement the scientific
outlook on development, further emancipate our mind, adhere to
reform and opening up, develop socialist market economy, advance
socialist democracy, and develop advanced socialist culture.
Improving people's well being will continue to be our top
priority in building a harmonious society in which all people are
well educated, workers well paid, patients well treated, elders
well tended, and families well accommodated. We will continue to
adhere to the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" and the
policies of "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong, Macao people
governing Macao with a high degree of autonomy". We will join hands
with compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao to safeguard the long-term
prosperity and stability of both regions. We will also adhere to
the basic principle of "peaceful reunification and one country, two
systems". We will grasp firmly the theme of peace and development
in handling cross-Straits relations, and work for the well-being of
compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, strive for peace
in the region and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and
territorial integrity.
At present, the overall international situation is stable.
However, with the economic imbalance growing globally, the
international security situation has become more complicated, and
humankind is facing an increase in troubles and challenges. Sharing
the opportunities for development and meeting the challenges
together for the lofty cause of human peace and development are the
common wishes of people in all countries. Here I would like to
avail myself of this opportunity to reiterate that China will
continue to hold high the banner of peace, development, and
cooperation, make unremitting efforts in taking the road of peace
and development, and undertaking the mutually beneficial, win-win
and open strategy. We will continue to push forward the
democratization of international relations, spare no effort in
driving economic globalization towards a balanced development that
benefits all and into a win-win situation, boost exchanges and
mutual learning between different human civilizations, protect the
globe on which humankind lives, and safeguard world peace and
stability.
At this moment, we are greatly concerned about people still
suffering from warfare, poverty, disease, and disasters. We Chinese
people are deeply sympathetic to them and are willing to do our
utmost in helping them get rid of their plights as early as
possible. And we sincerely hope that people of all nations can live
a peaceful life of freedom, equality, harmony, and happiness under
the same blue sky.
In 2008, the 29th Summer Olympic Games and Paralympics will be
held in Beijing. We, as the host, will spare no effort and
enthusiasm in making the two games the grand opportunities for
people around the world to understand, befriend and cooperate with
each other. We warmly welcome athletes from all nations to take
part in the Olympics and Paralympics games, and also welcome
friends from around the world to come to China and watch the
games.
At last, from Beijing, I wish you all a happy, healthy and
prosperous new year!
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(CRI January 1, 2008)
