President Hu Jintao yesterday stressed once again the importance of
reform and innovation so as to implement the scientific concept of
development and promote social harmony in 2008.
To fulfill all the tasks for the year, China should
"unswervingly stick to the direction of reform and step it up in
key areas", and establish a system helpful to scientific
development and innovation, Hu said in a speech.
Hu was speaking at the New Year's Day gathering held by the
National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative
Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of China's reform and
opening-up, which Hu said is a "great reform the Chinese people
make under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and
a great course that has historical significance for both the Party
and the country."
In his New Year address on Monday, Hu described the reform as a
"crucial option that determines the fate of contemporary China and
has brought historic changes to socialist China".
He said China will this year have a systematic review of the
three-decade reform to grasp its significance.
This year is important for maintaining the stable situation the
reform has brought about, Hu said, adding, "China is facing
unprecedented opportunities and challenges."
He called on Chinese people to be on guard against conceit and
rashness and to continue to strive for new achievements.
Hu said China will this year continue to curb rising prices,
enhance environmental protection policies, expand socialist
democracy and increase efforts to improve people's livelihoods.
"We will continue to adhere to the principle of 'One Country,
Two Systems' and '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," he said.
"We will also adhere to the basic principle of 'peaceful
reunification and one country, two systems' ... oppose secessionist
activities, work for the well-being of compatriots on both sides of
the Taiwan Straits and strive for peace in the region."
All members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of
the CPC Central Committee were present at the gathering. Other
participants included leaders of the eight non-communist parties
and All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, personages
without party affiliation and delegates from various sectors of
society.
The gathering was presided over by Jia Qinglin, chairman of the
CPPCC National Committee.
(Xinhua News Agency January 2, 2008)
