To achieve its goal for the first 20 years of this century, China must be prepared for a long and uphill journey ahead, President Hu Jintao said at the opening ceremony of the 2005 Fortune Global Forum held Monday in Beijing.

Hu said, "We in China have identified the goal for the first 20 years of this century. That is to firmly seize the important window of strategic opportunities to build a moderately prosperous society of a higher standard in all-around way for the benefits of our over one billion people."

"By 2020, we will quadruple China's GDP of 2000 to approximately 4 trillion US dollars with a per capita level of some 3,000 US dollars, and further develop the economy, improve democracy, advance science and education, enrich culture, foster greater social harmony and upgrade the texture of life for the people."

"We are deeply aware that China, for a considerably long period of time to come, will remain a developing country. The population figure of 1.3 billion alone will make the fulfillment of the above goal a formidable challenge, and we must be prepared for a long and uphill journey ahead."

Hu said, "To realize this goal, we must uphold the scientific approach in achieving economic and social development of the country. We must put the people first, making the fundamental interests of the broadest masses of people our point of departure and endeavoring to satisfy their growing material and cultural needs to pursue the comprehensive development of man."

"We must focus on economic development as our central task, making development our top priority and facilitating an all-round progress in economic, political and cultural aspects and in the building of a harmonious society."

Hu said, "We must stick to the direction of reform for a socialist market economy, step up institutional innovation, deepen reforms aimed at galvanizing creative vitality of society and increase the inherent dynamics for economic and social development. "

"We must adhere to our basic policy of opening to the outside world, building a more open market place and allowing the country to participate more broadly in international economic and technological cooperation and competition with still wider and higher dimensions."

"We must follow a new course of industrialization, endeavor to overhaul the economic structure, quickly transform the ways of economic growth by improving its quality and efficiency, vigorously develop the circular economy and build a resource- effective and environment-friendly society, thus blazing a trail of development characterized by higher productivity, comfortable life for the people and a sustainable eco-system."

"We believe, as long as we firmly follow the path of development that is consistent with China's national conditions, we will be able to realize our goal and play a greater and more constructive role in the promotion of world peace and common development," said Hu.

Source: Xinhua