Premier Wen Jiabao highlighted Monday the task of building a harmonious society in his address to a gathering in celebration of the Lunar New Year.

At the gathering presided over by President Hu Jintao, Wen extended festival greetings to people of all ethnic groups in China, reviewed China's significant achievements in 2004, and listed the tasks for 2005.

The premier vowed to build a harmonious society featuring democracy, the rule of law, equity, justice, sincerity, amity, and vitality, saying this strategic task reflects the common aspiration of the Chinese people who are building a better life.

Such a harmonious society will give full scope to people's intelligence and creativity, enable all the people to share the social wealth created in reform and development, and forge an ever closer relationship between the people and government, and result in lasting stability and unity, Wen said.

He noted that this strategic task embodies the Chinese Communist Party's basic concepts of People First and Government for the People.

Wen praised the successful implementation of the 'one country, two systems' principle in Hong Kong and Macao, and pledged to work together with the 23 million compatriots in Taiwan for the full reunification of the country.

Wen also reiterated China's independent foreign policy of peace and its desire for peaceful development.

Senior Chinese leaders and representatives from all walks of life attended the gathering in the Great Hall of the People, marking the Chinese Lunar New Year, which starts on Feb. 9 this year.

(Xinhua News Agency February 8, 2005)