Fellow Deputies, Over the past five years, we implemented the Law on Regional Ethnic Autonomy, improved the policy system for supporting the development of ethnic minorities and ethnic minority areas, and infused new vitality into the cause of promoting unity and progress of ethnic groups in China. We comprehensively carried out the policy on freedom of religious belief and managed religious affairs on a more law- and procedure-based basis. We implemented the policy on overseas Chinese affairs in both letter and spirit, protected the legitimate rights and interests of overseas Chinese and those who have returned to China and their families; and we put their unique strengths to better use. New progress was made in strengthening national defense and the armed forces. Major achievements were made in the revolution in military affairs with Chinese characteristics. The armed forces made coordinated and all-around progress in becoming more revolutionary, modernized and procedure-based. They deepened their military preparedness, greatly enhanced their ability to carry out their historic mission in the new stage in the new century, and accomplished a number of urgent, difficult, and hazardous tasks.

We strengthened our work related to Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. Hong Kong and Macao are thriving and stable, and their exchanges and cooperation with the mainland reached a new height. We achieved a major transition in relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits. Complete, direct and two-way links of mail service, transport and trade were established, and the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement was signed and is being implemented. This extended cross-Straits exchanges to all areas and ushered in a new stage of peaceful growth of cross-Straits relations.

Major new progress was made in China's all-around diplomacy. We vigorously developed our relations with other major countries, enhanced mutually beneficial cooperation with our neighbors, and successfully established the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area. We spurred the development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and other mechanisms for promoting regional cooperation, and deepened our traditional friendship and cooperation with other developing countries. We actively participated in international cooperation on global issues like the global financial crisis and climate change and helped resolve international and regional hotspot issues. We thus fostered an international environment favorable for China's reform, development and stability and made a significant contribution to world peace, stability, development and prosperity.