China will strive to achieve fast and sound economic and social development and enable all people to enjoy the fruit of reform and development in 2006, Chinese President Hu Jintao said in a New Year Address made on Saturday.

The country will continue to make the "scientific concept of development" the general guideline of the overall economic and social development in 2006, the first year of China's 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-2010).

"We'll make efforts to accelerate the pace of reform and opening-up, enhance capability in independent innovation, give impetus to the shift in economic restructuring and in the mode of economic growth and improve the quality and results of economic growth," Hu said in the New Year address, which was broadcast on the China Radio International, China National Radio and China Central Television on Saturday.

In 2005, Hu said, people of all ethnic groups in China have worked with one heart and one mind to push forward, in an all round way, economic, political and cultural development and the building of a harmonious society.

The past year saw relatively faster economic growth, better results, stable prices and stronger dynamics. Social undertakings of all sorts made steady progress and people's livelihood improved step by step, Hu said.

Internationally, Hu said, China actively developed friendly cooperative relations with all countries in 2005 and made endeavors to the solution of major international and regional issues. In so doing, China has played a constructive role in safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.

Source: Xinhua