Chinese President Hu Jintao urged maintaining steady and relatively fast economic development in a New Year address broadcast Thursday December 31 to domestic and overseas audience via state TV and radio stations.
Hu added that the country will stick to the guidelines of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong", "Macao people governing Macao" and a high degree of autonomy to maintain long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao.
He said the policy of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" will be adhered to and exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait will be enhanced to bring more benefits to people on both sides.
"I'd like to solemnly reiterate that China will hold high the flag of peace, development and cooperation and firmly adhere to the foreign policy of maintaining world peace and promoting common development," Hu said.
He said China will develop friendly cooperation with all other countries on the basis of the five principles of co-existence [Mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty; Mutual non-aggression; Mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs ; Equality and mutual benefit ; and Peaceful co-existence] and continue to actively participate in international cooperation on issues such as coping with the international financial crisis and climate change.
"We will work with people of all countries to jointly promote the construction of a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity," said Hu. (Xinhua, Dec 31, 2009)