President Hu Jintao chaired the diverse gathering of 4,000 people from throughout China.

On behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council, Hu, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, conveyed festival greetings to all Chinese people. He then expressed his thanks to the friends of China all over the world.

Premier Wen Jiabao, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, delivered a speech outlining China's accomplishments and goals.

The premier said China had made great achievements over the past year. "Looking into the New Year, we are fully confident in the country's future development," he explained.

Wen went on to express his confidence that China would fully implement the scientific concept of development, speed up the building of a harmonious socialist society, and strive to maintain satisfactory and fast development of the national economy to create favorable conditions and environment for the 17th National Congress of the CPC.

Wen pledged to continue to boost economic development, deepen reform, and listen to the needs of Chinese citizens. He explained that China must adhere to scientific, harmonious, and peaceful development and "greatly increase social wealth to lay a solid material foundation" for the improvement of people's lives.

Wen also highlighted China's reform of the socialist market economy, saying that China must continue to push forward economic, political, cultural, and social reforms to safeguard social justice and protect people's democratic rights. He urged the Party and the government to remain closely connected to the people.