Hu outlines "overall approach" for China's modernization drive, stresses scientific development

BEIJING, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Hu Jintao on Thursday outlined the "overall approach" for China's modernization drive, which emphasizes development in five aspects -- economy, politics, culture, society, and ecology.

"Our overall approach (in building socialism with Chinese characteristics) is to promote economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological progress," Hu told more than 2,200 delegates gathered in the Great Hall of the People for the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

This is the first time that ecological progress has been incorporated into the country's overall development plan by the CPC.

China started to advocate ecological progress in 2007, when the concept was written into Hu's report to the Party's 17th National Congress, against the backdrop of fast growing economy and deteriorating environment.

In his report to the Party's 18th National Congress, Hu gave ecological progress a more prominent position by placing it into the country's overall development approach together with economic, political, cultural and social progress.

Promoting ecological progress is a long-term task of vital importance to the people's wellbeing and China's future, Hu said.

"We must give high priority to making ecological progress and incorporate it into all aspects and the whole process of advancing economic, political, cultural, and social progress, work hard to build a beautiful country, and achieve lasting and sustainable development of the Chinese nation," he said.

Over the past ten years, China's economy has risen from the sixth to the second place in the world. Its productive forces and economic, scientific and technological strength have increased considerably. Its overall national strength and international competitiveness and influence have also been enhanced substantially.

However, China also faces increasing resource constraints, severe environmental pollution and a deteriorating ecosystem.

"We should remain committed to the basic state policy of conserving resources and protecting the environment as well as the principle of giving high priority to conserving resources, protecting the environment and promoting its natural restoration, and strive for green, circular and low-carbon development," Hu said.

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