"I would never let down all the deputies and people of all nationalities throughout the country," Hu said at the closing of the first session of the 10th National People's Congress (NP) here Tuesday morning.

Hu praised his predecessor, Jiang Zemin, for his able leadership and his outstanding contributions to building socialism with Chinese characteristics during the 10 years of his tenure.

He said that his able leadership in correctly sizing up the domestic and international situation and his political courage and great efforts to build a strong country "have won him the heartfelt love and respect from the people of all nationalities of the whole country and the universal approval of the international community and the important thought of the 'Three Represents' he put forward by pooling the wisdom of the whole Party is of major and far-reaching significance in guiding the causes of the country forward."

Describing his mandate as having been received "in the capriciously changing international situation and at a time when the tasks of building the country are heavy," Hu pledged to do the following in order to perform the sacred duties endowed by the people:

"First, to give full scope to democracy and do everything according to law, adhere to Party leadership, hold fast to the principle of bringing Party leadership into perfect harmony with the efforts to make the people the masters of the country and to rule the country by law, unswervingly safeguard the systems and principles of socialist democracy, and maintain the integrity and dignity of the socialist legal system."

"Second, to be loyal to the motherland and always have the people in heart, place the interests of the state and the people above anything else, exercise power for the people, feel as the people feel and work for their happiness, and always be their faithful servants."

"Thirdly, to carry what has been achieved into the future, advance with the times, carry forward the fine traditions of the Chinese nation, learn from the noble moral characters of the country's older generations of leaders, never indulge in complacency or develop the slightest sloth, and ceaselessly seek progress in the pioneering spirit."

"Fourth, to impose strict self-discipline, keep honest and clean in performing public duties, always maintain a modest, prudent and industrious style of work, and work hard and selflessly night and day for the country and the people."

On behalf the new generation of central leadership, President Hu pledged sincerity to accept the oversight by the deputies and the people of all nationalities throughout the country.

"China's development is at a new historical starting point," said President Hu. "We should emancipate our minds, seek truth from facts, advance with the times and take full advantage of the strategic opportunity period in the first two decades of the 21st century to focus on construction and development, push forward reform and opening-up in a big way, promote a coordinated development of socialist material, political and ideological civilizations, and advance firmly toward the grand goal of building a well-off society in an all-round way."

"The complete reunification of China is the common aspiration of the Chinese people both at home and abroad," said the president. "We shall continue to adhere to the principle of 'one country, two systems' to maintain the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong and Macao, exert ourselves to promote economic and cultural exchanges and exchange of visits between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits and continue to work for the earliest settlement of the Taiwan issue and realize the complete reunification of the motherland."

"Chinese is a peace-loving nation. We shall continue the independent foreign policy of peace, maintain and develop friendly and cooperative relations with all other countries and, together with the people of all countries, work for a fair and rational international political and economic order and ceaselessly promote the lofty cause of peace and development of mankind," he said.

The president expressed his full conviction that China is sure to realize the national rejuvenation so long as "we hold high the great banner of Deng Xiaoping Theory, carry out the important thought of 'Three Represents', adhere to the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics, work with one mind and one heart."

(Xinhua News Agency March 18, 2003)