Make Joint Efforts to Advance the Lofty Cause of Peace and Development for Mankind

Ladies and Gentlemen, Comrades and Friends,

As the clock counts down the few remaining hours to the Year 2008, through China Radio International, China National Radio and China Central Television, I am very delighted to extend New Year greetings to Chinese people of all nationalities, our compatriots in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region, and in Taiwan, overseas Chinese and our friends of various countries around the world.

The year 2007 saw new changes in the world and China has also made new progresses. Chinese people have continued to work shoulder to shoulder in building a well-off society in an all-round way. China's comprehensive national strength has further strengthened and people's livelihood has further improved. Chinese people have boosted exchanges and cooperation with people of various nations, actively engaged in the proper settlement of issues in the world's hot spots, and pushed for the building of a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity. The 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which convened two months ago, mapped out the grand blueprint for continuing to build a well-off society in an all-round way under new circumstances and accelerating socialist modernization. Chinese people from all ethnic groups are making full use of their diligence and wisdom to make new efforts to write a new chapter for a better life.

2008 will be a significant year for Chinese people as we will mark the 30th anniversary of China's opening up and reform. Initiated in 1978, the reform and opening-up drive is a crucial option that determines the fate of contemporary China. It has brought historic changes to socialist China. We will continue unwaveringly to hold high the great banner of building socialism with Chinese characteristics, fully implement the scientific outlook on development, further emancipate our mind, adhere to reform and opening up, develop socialist market economy, advance socialist democracy, and develop advanced socialist culture.

Improving people's well being will continue to be our top priority in building a harmonious society in which all people are well educated, workers well paid, patients well treated, elders well tended, and families well accommodated. We will continue to adhere to the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" and the policies of "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong, Macao people governing Macao with a high degree of autonomy". We will join hands with compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao to safeguard the long-term prosperity and stability of both regions. We will also adhere to the basic principle of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems". We will grasp firmly the theme of peace and development in handling cross-Straits relations, and work for the well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, strive for peace in the region and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

At present, the overall international situation is stable. However, with the economic imbalance growing globally, the international security situation has become more complicated, and humankind is facing an increase in troubles and challenges. Sharing the opportunities for development and meeting the challenges together for the lofty cause of human peace and development are the common wishes of people in all countries. Here I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to reiterate that China will continue to hold high the banner of peace, development, and cooperation, make unremitting efforts in taking the road of peace and development, and undertaking the mutually beneficial, win-win and open strategy. We will continue to push forward the democratization of international relations, spare no effort in driving economic globalization towards a balanced development that benefits all and into a win-win situation, boost exchanges and mutual learning between different human civilizations, protect the globe on which humankind lives, and safeguard world peace and stability.

At this moment, we are greatly concerned about people still suffering from warfare, poverty, disease, and disasters. We Chinese people are deeply sympathetic to them and are willing to do our utmost in helping them get rid of their plights as early as possible. And we sincerely hope that people of all nations can live a peaceful life of freedom, equality, harmony, and happiness under the same blue sky.

In 2008, the 29th Summer Olympic Games and Paralympics will be held in Beijing. We, as the host, will spare no effort and enthusiasm in making the two games the grand opportunities for people around the world to understand, befriend and cooperate with each other. We warmly welcome athletes from all nations to take part in the Olympics and Paralympics games, and also welcome friends from around the world to come to China and watch the games.

At last, from Beijing, I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!

New Year's Message from Director-General of China Radio International

Dear Listeners,

As 2008 has arrived, I sincerely wish all of you a very happy new year on behalf of the entire China Radio International staff. May peace, happiness, safety and health always follow you!

CRI has been growing with the change of times, the pursuit of excellence and the needs of listeners in 2007. As Nila from Bengal says, CRI has painted a very beautiful picture for him. It helps him know more about China as well as the world. Yes, you hear us, the voice from China, via radio or the Internet, and you get to see and feel an energetic China as well as a colorful, always-changing world.

2007 is a year of milestones for China. The 17th CPC National Congress has paved the way for China's future development. Chang'e 1 successfully completed its flying journey to the moon not long ago. Lots of listeners have given us hearty congratulations. Joaquin Planell Roch from Spain said, "The beautiful legend of Chang'e flying to the moon has been around for thousands of years, and now, the great Chinese people are turning it into reality!"

As the only national radio station broadcasting to the world in China, CRI is close to millions of listeners. Its pursuit is in sync with the times, and it respects objectivity and truth. CRI also thirsts for new knowledge, and it keeps track of the developments in the world by gathering global news and reports.

On December 6th, 2007, CRI Confucius Institute was officially launched. It aims to promote the Chinese culture via a multimedia teaching mode. With the help of radio and the Internet, we will get even closer to our listeners all around the world, and be a bona fide bridge between China and the world. CRI also launched 8 new overseas FM stations, 11 overseas online stations as well as cell phone radio and cell phone TV. We have successfully built a new media platform encompassing pictures, text, audio and video, and our career has reached a new high. The "localized" CRI FM programs have attracted lots of listeners this year. Gilberto from France says, "Let me tell you some good news. I can easily listen to CRI programs while I drive to work now." Well, to spread happiness around the world is exactly our wish here at CRI.

We have received more than 2.6 million letters and e-mails from overseas listeners this year, which is a new record for us. A huge globe in the CRI building contains some of these letters, and whenever I walk past it, I'm always deeply touched by your love and support for CRI. Your expectations push us to do better, and your heart-warming letters are our priceless treasures. A Russian listener named Vadim Nikolaevich Yelishev has perfectly summed up my feelings right now: He says he got to know our people by chance, but he's destined to be friends for life, until the end of time.

Looking ahead, 2008 will be another extraordinary year. The Beijing Olympic Games will kick off on August 8 and the whole world is waiting in huge anticipation. To welcome this event, we launched a special "A Date with 2008" knowledge contest two months ago. The Chinese sage Confucius once said, "Isn't it a delight to have friends come from afar?" We will welcome friends from all over the world with open arms and witness the historic arrival of August 8 2008 together!

As a famous Chinese poem goes, "Illuminated by the spring sunlight, everything on earth is glowing." The new year is approaching us with a tinge of the spring, and let's welcome this brand new moment together! I hereby wish all our friends a happy new year, and May your families surrounded by happiness. Thank you very much.