To attain the strategic objective of building computerized armed forces and winning IT-based warfare, Hu said China will accelerate the composite development of mechanization and computerization, carry out military training under IT-based conditions, intensify our efforts to train a new type of high-caliber military personnel in large numbers and change the mode of generating combat capabilities.

China will "enhance its capacity for independent innovation in research and development of weapons and equipment with better quality and cost-effectiveness," he said.

China will establish sound systems of weapons and equipment research and manufacturing, military personnel training and logistics that integrate military with civilian purposes and combine military efforts with civilian support, build the armed forces through diligence and thrift, and blaze a path of development with Chinese characteristics featuring military and civilian integration, according to Hu.

National reunification

In his keynote speech, Hu called for discussions with the Taiwan authorities for a formal end to the state of hostility and to reach a peace agreement under the conditions of the one-China principle.

"Here we would like to make a solemn appeal: On the basis of the one-China principle, let us discuss a formal end to the state of hostility between the two sides, reach a peace agreement, construct a framework for peaceful development of cross-straits relations, and thus usher in a new phase of peaceful development," Hu said.

Hu Jintao said the forces for "Taiwan independence" were stepping up their secessionist activities, seriously jeopardizing the peaceful development of cross-straits relations. "The mainland side is ready to conduct exchanges, dialogue, consultations and negotiations with any political party in Taiwan on any issue as long as it recognizes that both sides of the Straits belong to one and the same China."

"We will make every effort to achieve anything that serves the interests of our Taiwan compatriots, contributes to the maintenance of peace in the Taiwan Straits region, and facilitates peaceful national reunification," he said.

Hu reiterated the Party's long-time stance that the mainland side "will never waver in our commitment to the one-China principle, never abandon our efforts to achieve peaceful reunification, never change the policy of placing our hopes on the people in Taiwan and never compromise in our opposition to the secessionist activities aimed at 'Taiwan independence'."

"China's sovereignty and territorial integrity brook no division, and any matter in this regard must be decided by the entire Chinese people including our Taiwan compatriots," he said.

"We are willing to make every effort with the utmost sincerity to achieve peaceful reunification of the two sides, and will never allow anyone to separate Taiwan from the motherland in any name or by any means," he said.

Building A Harmonious World

Sharing opportunities for development and rising to challenges together so as to further the cause of peace and development of humanity is in the fundamental interests of the people of all countries and meets their common aspirations, Hu said.

To this end, he proposed that all countries uphold the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, observe international law, universally recognized the norms of international relations, and promote democracy, harmony, collaboration and win-win solutions in international relations.

-- Politically, all countries should respect each other and conduct consultations on an equal footing in a common endeavor to promote democracy in international relations.

-- Economically, they should cooperate with each other, draw on each other's strengths and work together to advance economic globalization in the direction of balanced development, shared benefits and win-win progress.

-- Culturally, they should learn from each other in the spirit of seeking common ground while shelving differences, respect the diversity of the world, and make joint efforts to advance human civilization.

-- In the area of security, they should trust each other, strengthen cooperation, settle international disputes by peaceful means rather than by war, and work together to safeguard peace and stability in the world.

-- On environmental issues, they should assist and cooperate with each other in conservation efforts to take good care of the Earth, the only home human beings have.

Hu said that whatever changes take place in the international situation, the Chinese Government and people will always hold high the banner of peace, development and cooperation, pursue an independent foreign policy of peace, safeguard China's interests in terms of sovereignty, security and development, and uphold its foreign policy purposes of maintaining world peace and promoting common development.

Reiterating that China will unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development, Hu said China opposes terrorism, hegemony and power politics in any form, does not engage in arms races or pose a military threat to any other country and will never seek hegemony or engage in expansion.

Pointing out that China cannot develop in isolation from the rest of the world, nor can the world enjoy prosperity and stability without China, Hu said "China will never seek benefits for itself at the expense of other countries or shift its troubles onto others."

Self-improvement of the Party

Efforts should be made to oppose and prevent arbitrary decision-making by an individual or a minority of people in the Party, Hu said.

The Party will strictly implement democratic centralism and improve the system that combines collective leadership with division of responsibilities among individuals, he added.

He said local Party committees will adopt a voting system to discuss and make decisions on major issues and to appoint cadres to important positions.

The Party will establish a sound system under which the Political Bureau of the Central Committee regularly reports its work to plenums of the Central Committee and accepts their oversight, and the standing committees of local Party committees at all levels do likewise to plenums of local Party committees and accept their oversight, Hu said.

The Party will reform the intra-Party electoral system and improve the system for nominating candidates and electoral methods.

Hu also vowed to gradually extend direct election of leading members in primary Party organizations, and explore various ways to expand intra-Party democracy at the primary level.

Pointing out that fighting corruption will be a protracted, complicated and arduous battle, Hu called upon Party members to carry out the campaign against it in a comprehensive way, addressing both its symptoms and root causes and combining punishment with prevention.

Resolutely cracking down on corruption, the Party should work harder to remove its root causes and take preventive measures through improving relevant institutions, Hu said.

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