Distinguished Guests,

Friends and Comrades,

We are joyfully gathered here today to warmly celebrate the 56th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. On behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council, I wish to extend my festive congratulations to our people of all ethnic groups and from all walks of life, my cordial greetings to our compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan and the overseas Chinese communities, and my sincere appreciation to the friends from other countries present at the reception and all our international friends who care for and support China's reform, opening up and modernization drive.

Since New China was proclaimed 56 years ago and, in particular, since the beginning of our reform and opening up program, China has undergone earth-shaking changes and achieved world-stunning successes. The entire Chinese people are proud of this accomplishment. History has eloquently proved that socialism with Chinese characteristics, a road that we have been following all along, is the only right path that leads us forward.

Our society of Chinese-style socialism is a changing and open society, a society that goes through constant development and improvement. Reform and opening up is a crucial decision bearing on China's destiny, which runs through the entire socialist development process. Only when reform and opening up is unswervingly upheld can we effectively galvanize the enthusiasm and creativity of our people of hundreds of millions, emancipate and develop productive force, and retain forever the vitality and dynamism of socialism.

We will firmly press ahead with economic restructuring, build up and improve on our socialist market economy, and implement the scientific approach to development with a view to achieving a sustained, rapid and sound economic development. At the same time, we will energetically step up political, cultural and social management restructuring and promote a comprehensive and coordinated development of the socialist material, political and spiritual civilizations and the building of a harmonious society.

Distinguished Guests,

Friends and Comrades,

Together with our Hong Kong and Macao compatriots, we will maintain the long-term prosperity and stability in the two Special Administrative Regions.

Together with our Taiwan compatriots, we will promote the peaceful reunification of the motherland.

Together with the people around the world, we will do our best to build a new world of peace, amity and harmony.

Distinguished Guests,

Friends and Comrades,

Standing now at a new starting point of history, our country is marching forward toward the grand goal of building a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way. We are convinced that under the leadership of the Central Committee of our Party with Comrade Hu Jintao as the General Secretary, our people of all ethnic groups, holding high the great banner of Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thought of "Three Represents", rallying closely together and working in a pioneering spirit, will surely overcome all difficulties and obstacles and write a still more brilliant chapter in China's history.

May I now propose a toast,

to the 56th anniversary of the People's Republic of China,

to the prosperity of our great motherland and the well-being of the people of all ethnic groups,

to the friendship and cooperation between the Chinese people and the people across the world,