CPPCC Holds Tea Party Greeting New YearChinese President Jiang Zemin said Monday, January 1, that Chinese people face three major tasks in the new century: to further accelerate modernization drive, accomplish the reunification of the motherland, and safeguard world peace and promote common development.Jiang made the remark at a New Year's tea party hosted by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Monday in Beijing. He extended New Year's greetings on behalf of the Chinese central government to people from all walks of life, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, as well as foreign friends. Jiang, who is also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said that China will persevere in economic development as the central task and unswervingly push forward the reform, opening up and modernization drive. He noted that the principle of "peaceful reunification; one country, two systems" will be upheld. The economic cooperation, visits and various exchanges across the Taiwan Straits will be promoted and the Taiwan issue will be solved at an early date. The Chinese President said that China will continue its independent foreign policy of peace, forge friendly relations with countries in the world, oppose hegemonism and power politics, and promote the establishment of a new order of international politics and economy which is just and fair. Jiang noted that the year 2001 is essential for China as it is the first year of the 21st century, the first year of China's Tenth Five-Year Plan (2001-2005), and the first year for China to obtain the third strategic goal set for the country's modernization drive. He called on the whole country to stick to that development must be the main theme, with economic restructuring as the masterstroke, reform and opening-up and scientific and technological progress as the driving forces, and enhanced living standards as the starting point. Jiang said that the system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China should be persisted as well as the principle of long-term coexistence, mutual supervision, treating each other with all sincerity and sharing weal or woe. He expressed confidence that the Chinese people will make new wonders in the new century. The Chinese nation will surely realize its great rejuvenation and make more and greater contribution to the human kind. The tea party was presided over by CPPCC National Committee Chairman Li Ruihuan. Luo Haocai, Chairman of 11th Central Committee of China Zhi Gong Party (Public Interest Party), also delivered a speech at the gathering attended by some other high-ranking Chinese officials. |
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