BEIJING, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- The people-oriented approach must be adhered to and efforts should be made to keep delivering on the people's aspirations for a better life, President Xi Jinping said Tuesday at a gathering celebrating the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up.

The practices over the past 40 years have shown that seeking happiness for the Chinese people and striving for rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is the founding aspiration and mission of the Communist Party of China, and those of the reform and opening-up endeavor, Xi said.