Fellow Deputies,
China is a unified, multiethnic country. We must promote unity among all ethnic groups and make a concerted effort to achieve prosperity and development for all. We will follow and improve the system of regional ethnic autonomy, promote economic and social development of ethnic minorities and ethnic minority areas, and consolidate and develop socialist ethnic relations of equality, unity, mutual assistance and harmony. We will faithfully follow the Party's basic principles on work related to religions, adhere to the Regulations on Religious Affairs, and enable religious figures and religious believers to play a positive role in advancing economic and social development. We need to do a good job handling affairs related to overseas Chinese nationals in the new era and make full use of the role of overseas Chinese nationals, returned overseas Chinese nationals and their relatives in China's modernization and the great cause of peaceful reunification of the motherland.
Improving national defense and the military is a strategic task in developing socialism with Chinese characteristics. We must balance economic development and national defense development to make China prosperous and the armed forces strong as we carry out modernization. We must always follow the guidance of Mao Zedong's military thinking, Deng Xiaoping's thinking on building the army in the new period and Jiang Zemin's thinking on strengthening the national defense and the army, truly implement the important guidelines of Comrade Hu Jintao on national defense and the army under the new circumstances, and take the Scientific Outlook on Development as an important guiding principle for developing national defense and the army. Our aim is to enable the army to fully carry out its historic mission in the new stage in the new century, enhance its ability to respond to security threats and accomplish a diverse array of military tasks, staunchly protect China's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and provide strong support for building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. We will strengthen efforts to improve the People's Armed Police Force to improve its ability to enforce the law, respond to emergencies, combat terrorism and safeguard stability. We will intensify national defense education to raise public awareness of the importance of national defense. We will improve the national defense mobilization system. We will strengthen unity between the military and the government and between the military and the people.
We will continue to unswervingly adhere to the principle of "one country, two systems," under which Hong Kong people administer Hong Kong and Macao people administer Macao with a high degree of autonomy, and act in strict accordance with the basic laws of the two special administrative regions. We will give full support to the governments of the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions in administering their regions in accordance with the law, and increase exchange and cooperation between the mainland and the two special administrative regions in economic and trade affairs, environmental protection, science and technology, education, culture, health and sports. We firmly believe that our compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao will be able to do even better in administering and developing their respective regions.
We will adhere to the basic principle of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" and follow all policies for developing relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits and promoting China's peaceful reunification under the current circumstances. We will pursue the goal of promoting peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, encourage compatriots on both sides to increase contacts and common understanding, actively promote cross-Straits economic and cultural exchanges, and work for the resumption of direct links of mail, transport and trade. We will implement and improve the policies and measures designed to benefit our compatriots in Taiwan and support economic development on the west coast of the Straits in Fujian Province and in other areas where Taiwan investment is concentrated. We will work for the early resumption of cross-Straits negotiations on the basis of the one-China principle to address major issues of concern to compatriots on both sides. We firmly oppose Taiwan independence secessionist activities, and will never allow anyone to separate Taiwan from the motherland in any guise or by any means. Any issue that concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be decided by all the Chinese people, including our Taiwan compatriots. The attempts of Taiwan independence secessionist forces to deny the reality that the mainland and Taiwan belong to one and the same China and to undermine peace in the Taiwan Straits are doomed to fail. Reunification of the two sides is inevitable in the course of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. With the concerted efforts of all Chinese people at home and overseas, the great cause of China's reunification will surely be achieved!
In the coming year, we must continue to hold high the banner of peace, development and cooperation, follow an independent foreign policy of peace and a path of peaceful development, and adhere to the win-win strategy of opening up to promote the building of a harmonious world with durable peace and common prosperity. We will work hard to develop relations with developed countries, deepen good-neighborly relations and friendship with all neighboring countries, and redouble efforts to increase unity and cooperation with other developing countries. We will actively participate in multilateral diplomacy, work to find appropriate solutions to major hotspots and global issues, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese nationals and companies overseas. The Chinese government and people are ready to share development opportunities with people of all other countries and to work with them to address risks and challenges and advance the noble cause of the peace and development of humanity.
Fellow Deputies,
Looking back, we are encouraged by the achievements of the past five years. Looking ahead, we see an exciting future for China. Our great motherland has embarked upon a new historical course and the future holds even brighter prospects. Under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Hu Jintao as General Secretary, let us hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, follow the guidance of Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thought of Three Represents, and comprehensively apply the Scientific Outlook on Development. Let us free our minds, carry out reform and innovation, and work diligently for greater achievements in the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects!