Special report: Reconstruction After Earthquake

    TIANJIN, May 28 (Xinhua) -- China has made great achievements in its quake relief work at the current stage, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping said here on Wednesday.

    Addressing the 18th Asian Corporate Conference of Asia Society, Xi said the 8.0-magnitude earthquake in Sichuan Province on May 12 was the most powerful quake since the new China was established in 1949.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping addresses the opening ceremony of the 18th Asian Corporate Conference of Asia Society in Tianjin, north china, May 28, 2008. (Xinhua/Yang Zongyou)Photo Gallery>>>

    All Chinese are united to battle the disaster headed by the strong and solid guidance of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese government, he said.

    Xi spoke highly of the valuable help extended by foreign countries, international organizations and friends in quake relief efforts.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R), shakes hands with Vishakha N. Desai, president of Asia Society in Tianjin, north china, May 28, 2008. Xi Jinping addressed the opening ceremony of the 18th Asian Corporate Conference of Asia Society here on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Yang Zongyou) Photo Gallery>>>

    "After the quake, several foreign rescue teams and medical professionals have been sent to the quake-hit areas to search and rescue the people," Xi said, adding relief materials and funds from the international community were continuously pouring into quake-hit areas.

    Xi said the Chinese people would surely overcome all difficulties to win the victory in the quake relief work, and fulfil the solemn promise of holding a characteristic, high-level Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

    The conference, with the theme of "New era for global business: Sustainable growth for China and the world," was held in Tianjin, a northern port city neighboring Beijing.

    Xi sent congratulations to the annual conference on behalf of the Chinese government, saying the theme was in accordance with the trend of economic globalization and the real situation of economic development in Asia and China.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (8th L) poses for a group photo together with guests attending the 18th Asian Corporate Conference of Asia Society in Tianjin, north china, May 28, 2008. Xi Jinping addressed the opening ceremony of the 18th Asian Corporate Conference of Asia Society here on Wednesday.(Xinhua/Yang Zongyou) Photo Gallery>>>

    "I believe the conference will achieve fruitful results and provide valuable experience for countries and regions in the world."

    Xi also elaborated on China's progress on development and sustainable development since the reform and opening-up policy implemented in 1978.

    China has paid great attention to the issues as development and sustainable development, taking the path of peaceful development and concentrating on the domestic construction, said Xi.

    He said after thirty years' unremitting effort, the aggregation of China's economy has mounted to the fourth place in the world and China's economy has become an important part of the global economy.

    "China's contribution to the growth of the world economy and the international trade has exceeded 10 percent and 12 percent respectively," said the vice president.

    Xi said that China's development provides broad market for the international capital. Foreign investment in China has amounted to more than 780 billion U.S. dollars over the past thirty years. Meanwhile, China's direct investment overseas also increased sharply.

    He stressed that China will enhance the energy saving and emission reduction work in accordance with the scientific concept of development.

    China's energy consumption per capita GDP has dropped 3.27 percent while the chemical oxygen demand and the sulphur dioxide emissions also declined for the first time, but the overall situation of the energy saving and emission reduction work is still facing great challenges, said Xi.

    Xi called on the whole society to stick to the concept of conservation culture so as to establish the sustainable development mechanism and speed up the recycling economy in a bid to promote the construction of the energy saving and environment friendly society.

    Before the opening ceremony, Xi met with the present foreign representatives.

    Asia Society, founded in 1956, is the leading global organization working to strengthen relationships and promote understanding among the people, leaders, and institutions of Asia and the United States.