Hu Jintao called on the 73 million members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese people on Monday to hold high the "great banner of socialism with Chinese Characteristics" in their strive for building "a moderately prosperous society in all respects."

Hu made the call in a keynote speech at the 17th CPC National Congress Monday on behalf of the 16th CPC Central Committee.

The theme of the congress is "to hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, follow the guidance of Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thought of Three Represents, thoroughly apply the Scientific Outlook on Development, continue to emancipate the mind, persist in reform and opening up, pursue development in a scientific way, promote social harmony, and strive for new victories in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects," Hu said.

Building a moderately prosperous society in all respects is a goal for the Party and the state to reach by 2020, and represents the fundamental interests of the people of all ethnic groups, he said.

Socialism with Chinese characteristics means the localization of Marxism. Hu said that "We will, under the leadership of the CPC and in light of China's basic conditions, take economic development as the central task, adhere to the Four Cardinal Principles and persevere in reform and opening up, release and develop the productive forces, consolidate and improve the socialist system, develop the socialist market economy, socialist democracy, an advanced socialist culture and a harmonious socialist society, and make China a prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious modern socialist country."

The opening meeting of the congress was attended by more than 2, 200 delegates from around the country.

(Xinhua News Agency October 15, 2007)