Chinese President Hu Jintao put the country's economic tasks on top of next year's agenda in a New Year address broadcast Friday.

Chinese President Hu Jintao delivers his New Year address via China Radio International and China Central Television in Beijing on December 31, 2010. [Photo: Xinhua]

In his address to domestic and overseas audience via state TV and radio broadcasters, Hu said to accelerate the transformation of economic development pattern will be a consistent thread of China's work in 2011, the first year of the country's 12th Five-Year Program.

China will adopt a "proactive" fiscal policy and "prudent" monetary policy, speed up economic restructuring, improve people's livelihood and push forward reform and opening-up, he said in the speech titled "Jointly Improve the Welfare of People from All Countries," broadcast by the China Radio International, China National Radio and China Central Television.

The country will stick to the guidelines of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong", "Macao people governing Macao" and a high degree of autonomy to maintain long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao, he said.

"We will adhere to the principles of 'peaceful reunification' and 'one country, two systems,' firlmly hold on to the theme of peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, continue to advance exchanges and cooperation, and ceaselessly work for the benefit of the compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait," he said.

In 2010, in face of complicated domestic and international situations, Chinese people successfully hosted the Shanghai World Expo and the Asian Games in Guangzhou while bravely fighting against deadly natural disasters including the earthquake in Qinghai Province and the landslide in Gansu Province, he said.

China fulfilled the targets set by the 11th Five-Year Program (2006-2010) and increased its economic and comprehensive strength, Hu said.

The country was also actively engaged and played a constructive part in international cooperation to cope with global financial crisis, climate change and nuclear issues, he said.

"On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I would like to extend sincere acknowledgement to governments and people who offered great help to us this year," Hu said.