President Hu delivers New Year message

Chinese President Hu Jintao delivered a New Year's message on December 31, 2004 in the evening to all Chinese on the mainland, and in Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR and Taiwan, overseas Chinese and friends of different nations on China Radio International (CRI), China National Radio and China Central Television (CCTV).

Hu pledges priority to reform and opening-up

The president reviewed China's achievements scored in "building a relatively prosperous society and pushing forward socialist modernization" in 2004, by taking Deng Xiaoping Theory and "the important thought of Three Represents" as its guiding ideology and "implementing a scientific concept of development."

The Communist Party of China (CPC) convened the Fourth Session of the 16th CPC Central Committee, to sum up main experience in its administration and made an overall arrangement for strengthening the building of its governing capacity, Hu said.

Hu said: "the Chinese of all ethnicities nationwide are uniting and striving to realize China's affluence, rejuvenation, social harmony and people's happiness."

"In the past year, China raised high the banner of peace, development and cooperation by adhering to the independent foreign policy of peace, persevered in taking the road of peace and development, working hard to safeguard world peace and promote a common development, playing a constructive role in a series of major issues concerning global and regional security and development, and advancing friendly exchanges and substantial cooperation between China and other countries," he said.

The president pledged to give priority to "advancing the reform and opening to the outside world" in the new year, and making "arduous efforts to build a harmonic society and continue pushing forward socialism with Chinese characteristics."

China to continue its adherence to "One Country, Two Systems"

As for the two SARs of Hong Kong and Macao, Hu said "China will adhere to the policies of 'one country, two system,' 'Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong' and 'Macao people governing Macao' with a high degree of autonomy."

"The central authorities will continue to abide by the Basic Laws of the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions (SARs), support the chief executives of the SARs and SAR governments to work in compliance with law, promote the close economic and trade ties between the interior area and Hong Kong

and Macao, and maintain a long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao," he said.

Mainland to continue to strive for peaceful reunification

Hu noted that the Chinese mainland "will adhere to the fundamental policy of 'peaceful reunification and one country, two systems' and the Eight-Point Proposal on the process to develop cross-strait relations and propel the peaceful reunification of the motherland in the present period," adding that the mainland will continue "to promote cross-strait exchanges in personnel and economic and cultural spheres, and strive for peaceful reunification with the utmost sincerity and effort."

He called for resuming cross-straits talks and negotiation based on the one-China principle as early as possible. "We will never allow anyone to separate Taiwan from China in any form," he said. He once again appeals to all Chinese offspring "including Taiwan compatriots," to "get united and oppose and curb pro-independence forces in Taiwan and their separatist activities," and "make joint efforts in accomplishing the great cause of the reunification of the motherland as early as possible."

Heartfelt hope for peace and development

At the end of his speech, the president said it is the common aspiration of the people of all countries to safeguard world peace and promote a common development.

"The Chinese people cherish a profound sympathy for all the people plunged in the abyss of misery the world over who are trapped in war fires, conflicts, starvation and poverty," he said.

He said it was his "heartfelt hope" that these people would embark on the road of peace and development as early as possible. "China is ready to provide them with assistance to the best of its ability," the Chinese president said.