The closing meeting, held in the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing, was presided over by Wu Bangguo, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee and also an executive chairman of the session. A total of 2,913 NPC deputies attended the meeting.

Hu Jintao, who was elected Chinese president at this NPC session, delivered an important speech at the closing meeting, pledging that he would faithfully perform the powers and functions endowed by the Constitution, scrupulously discharge his duties, work hard and industriously and serve the country and the people with utmost sincerity.

"I would never let down all the deputies and people of all nationalities throughout the country," Hu said.

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.

In particular, the important thought of 'Three Represents' Jiang 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, Hu said, adding: "We extend heartfelt thanks and respects to Comrade Jiang Zemin."

The president described the mandate of the new state organ workers as having been received "in the capriciously changing international situation and at a time when the tasks of building the country are heavy."

To perform the sacred duties endowed by the people, he pledged that he and the other ranking officials will give full scope to democracy and do everything according to law, be loyal to the motherland and always have the people in heart, carry what has been achieved into the future and advance with the times, and impose strict self-discipline and keep honest and clean in performing public duties.

China's development is at a new historical starting point, said 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."

Hu said the complete reunification of China is the common aspiration of the Chinese people both at home and abroad. "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."

The Chinese nation has always been peace-loving, he said. "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."

The president finally 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 hard with one mind and one heart."

While delivering a closing speech, Wu Bangguo described this NPC session as a "complete success."

On behalf of the 10th NPC and its Standing Committee, he expressed thanks and respects to Li Peng and all the member of the 9th NPC Standing Committee as well as deputies to the 9th NPC.

Wu said the five-year tenure of the 10th NPC is an important period for laying a solid foundation for building a well-off society in an all-round way. The 10th NPC and its Standing Committee will continue to give priority to the development and socialist democracy and improve the socialist legal system, earnestly perform their duties endowed by the Constitution and law, adhere to and improve the People's Congress system, build on what has been achieved and advance with the times, so as to make greater contribution to the socialist cause with Chinese characteristics.

At the closing meeting, the legislators also adopted by ballot resolutions concerning the state development plan, central and local budgets, and the work reports of the 9th NPC Standing Committee and of the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate.

(Xinhua News Agency March 18, 2003)