State leaders, including nine members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, attended a celebration on Monday morning at the Great Hall of the People.

It was held to mark the upcoming Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on February 9 this year, and was attended by senior leaders and representatives from all walks of life.

President Hu Jintao presided over the occasion and Premier Wen Jiabao delivered a speech that highlighted the task of building a harmonious society.

Wen extended festival greetings to people of all ethnic groups in China, and reviewed the country's significant achievements of last year and tasks for 2005.

The premier vowed to build a society based on democracy, the rule of law, equity, justice, sincerity, amity and vitality, saying this reflects the common aspiration of the Chinese people, who are building a better life.

Such a harmonious society will give full scope to people's ability and creativity, enable all to share the social wealth created in reform and development, and forge an ever closer relationship between the people and government, resulting in lasting stability and unity, Wen said.

He noted that this embodies the CPC's basic concepts of People First and Government for the People.

Wen praised the successful implementation of the 'one country, two systems' principle in Hong Kong and Macao, and pledged to work together with the 23 million compatriots in Taiwan for full reunification.

He also reiterated China's independent foreign policy based on peace and a desire for peaceful development.

(Xinhua News Agency February 8, 2005)