Hu stresses reform, peaceful development

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BEIJING, Jan. 1 (UPI) -- China will continue with reform and opening up in 2013 to build a prosperous society, President Hu Jintao said in his New Year's broadcast address.

Hu, who will be succeeded by Xi Jinping as president in March following the November leadership transition, said under his successor's leadership, Chinese people are forging ahead toward completing the building of a moderately prosperous society, the official Xinhua News agency reported.

Hu said remarkable achievements had been made in China's reform and opening up and efforts for modernization in the year ended. He said the November Communist Party Congress also outlined a blueprint for China to deepen reform and opening up.

He said China will stick to the guidelines of "one country, two systems," "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong," and "Macao people governing Macao" with a high degree of autonomy, Xinhua reported.

"We will continue to promote the peaceful development of mainland-Taiwan ties, bring benefit to compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and guard the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation," Hu said.

He said the Chinese people's determination to pursue a road of peaceful development will never waver no matter how volatile the international situation.