Speech delivered by Hu Jintao

Ladies and gentlemen, comrades and friends,

The New Year's bell is about to ring, and 2010 will soon begin. At this beautiful moment of bidding farewell to the old and ushering in the new, via China Radio International, China National Radio and China Central Television, I'm delighted to extend New Year greetings to Chinese of all ethnic groups, to compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions and Taiwan, to overseas Chinese and to friends all over the world!

The year 2009 has been a very important one in the history of the People's Republic of China. Chinese people of all ethnic groups have celebrated the 60th anniversary of the founding of New China, feeling extremely proud of our country's development, and determined to promote the socialist course with Chinese characteristics at a new starting

Under the circumstances of the global financial crisis, people of all ethnic groups in China have been resolute in confidence and braved hardships and difficulties. With millions of people united as one, we put the maintenance of a stable and comparatively fast economic growth as the primary task in our economic work. We made overall plans and efforts to guarantee economic growth, value people's livelihood and ensure social stability. With these efforts, we have achieved an overall economic recovery. Remarkable new progress has been made in the reform, opening-up and socialist modernization. The livelihood of the people continued to improve, and society remained harmonious and stable. China actively participated in international cooperation in dealing with issues such as the global financial crisis and climate change, increased international exchanges and cooperations, and made further contributions to world peace and development.

The year 2010 is the last one in China's implementation of the 11th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development. In the upcoming year, we will unswervingly uphold the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, deepen the implementation of the Scientific Outlook on Development under the guidance of Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thought of Three Represents, maintain the continuity and stability in macro-economic policies, maintain a proactive fiscal and moderately easy monetary policy, make the policies better-targeted and more flexible to adjust to new situations, pay more attention to enhancing the quality and benefits of economic growth, and accelerate the change of economic development mode and structural adjustment. We will pay more attention to deepening the reform and opening up and encouraging independent innovations to inject vigor and vitality into economic development. More stress will be put on further improving people's welfare, and maintaining social harmony and stability. We will make overall plans in dealing with domestic and international situations to achieve a stable and comparatively rapid economic growth, and push forward the construction of a moderately well-off society in all respects.

We will uphold the principles of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" and "Macao people governing Macao" with a high degree of autonomy. We will work together with our compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao to maintain long-term prosperity and stability in the two Special Administrative Regions. We will adhere to the principles of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems", and firmly grasp the theme of cross-Strait relations and peaceful development, strengthen the cross-strait exchanges and cooperation, and bring continuous well-being to compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

At present, the world is at a time of significant development, great changes and huge adjustments. It is moving further towards multi-polarity and globalization. The impact of the global financial crisis remains; global issues such as climate change, energy and resources and public sanitary security are prominent; and international and regional hot spots are emerging. The noble course of peace and development for humanity demands the cooperation of the people of all countries to meet the challenges jointly.

I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm that China will uphold the banner of peace, development and cooperation, and adhere to the principle of safeguarding world peace and promoting common development. We will unswervingly take the road of peaceful development and implement a strategy of opening up for mutual benefit and win-win situation, actively develop friendly cooperation with all countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, actively participate in efforts by the international community to deal with the global financial crisis and climate change, and strive to build a harmonious world with lasting peace and common prosperity.

At this moment on this planet we inhabit, there are still people who are suffering the effects of war, poverty, sickness and natural disasters. The Chinese people have great sympathy for their pain, and are always willing to do all we can to help them overcome the difficulties. I believe, with sustained efforts of people of all countries, the world civilization is sure to progress, and the humanity's well-being is certain to improve.

In the year 2010, the World Expo will be held in Shanghai, with a theme of "Better City, Better Life". We warmly welcome friends from all around the world to participate in this great event, and to compose a new chapter of promoting understanding

Finally, from here in Beijing, I would like to wish you all happiness, peace and health in the New Year!