BEIJING, Sept. 30 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said here on Friday that China will work for building "a new world of peace, amity and harmony" together with the people throughout the world.

    Wen made the remarks at a reception marking the 56th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China held in the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing.

    About 1,000 Chinese and foreign diplomats, scholars and people from all walks of life were present at the reception.

    In fact, Chinese leaders and senior officials over the past few months have kept highlighting the new feature of the country's foreign policy: "peace, development and cooperation".

    In an article issued in August, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said that seeking peace, amity and harmony among all countries is a key component of Chinese traditional culture. Under the banner of peace, development and cooperation, the country's diplomacy has kept forging ahead and contributed to safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.

    In Asia, China helped its surrounding countries deal with the financial crisis in 1997 and offered the country's largest-ever aid to the tsunami-hit countries in January this year.

    China also initiated the Shanghai Cooperation Organization for regional security and economic cooperation and promoted cooperation between China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

    All the facts proved that China is a good neighbor, good friend and good partner of its neighboring countries , Li said.

    On the international arena, China has pushed for South-South cooperation and North-South cooperation, explored new areas and channels of mutually beneficial cooperation with developing countries and provided them with assistance within its ability.

    Meanwhile, China has forged partnership with the world's major powers, and made common efforts to promote world peace and prosperity.

    Besides, China has actively taken part in the United Nations affairs and carried out international cooperation on anti-terrorism, arms control, peace-keeping, development, human rights, law enforcement and environmental protection.

    Li Junru, a well-known theorist in the Party, said that China is late in the progress of modernization and industrialization.

    "However, we will not repeat the past bitter history of turbulence and instability in the world resulted from the rise of a big power, but seek a road that a new rising nation has never taken," Li said.

    Chinese President Hu Jintao told a UN summit meeting in New York earlier this month that China will resolutely insist on the road of peaceful development, the independent foreign policy of peace and develop friendly relations and cooperation with various countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Enditem

    Premier pledges to build harmonious, well off society

    BEIJING, Sept. 30 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Friday pledged to promote reforms and opening up and to facilitate a sustained and healthy development of national economy.

    Wen made the remark in his address to more than 1,000 celebrities at a reception in the Great Hall of the People on the eve of the 56th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

    He called on the whole nation to unite under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC), heightening the CPC's leading role in China's opening up and reforms and in the great changes that have happened in China.

    History has eloquently proved that socialism with Chinese characteristics and the road that Chinese people have chosen are the only right way, Wen said.

    He said more efforts should be made jointly with Hong Kong and Macao compatriots to maintain the long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao and with Taiwan compatriots to achieve the China's peaceful reunification.

    General Secretary of CPC Central Committee and Chinese President Hu Jintao was present at the reception.

    Among the those who were present at the reception included members of the Standing Committee of the political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Wu Bangguo, Jia Qinglin, Zeng Qinghong, Huang Ju, Wu Guanzheng and Li Changchun and other party and government leaders. Enditem