China has maintained an average annual growth rate of 9.8 percent over the past three decades, more than three times the world average.

Gross domestic product soared from a mere 360 billion yuan (about 52 billion U.S. dollars at current rates) in 1978 to 24.95 trillion yuan in 2007, making China the world's fourth-largest economy.

Hu said the past 30 years were a period in which China's national strength rose a big margin, and the Chinese people have received more tangible benefits than ever before.

"Reform and opening-up are the fundamental causes of all the achievements and progress we have made," Hu said.

But Hu also cautioned the Party and the Chinese people not to become content with their achievements and stop moving forward.

Hu said China still faced many challenges, including a weak agricultural foundation and less-developed rural areas. The nation's ability to innovate new things is also weak.

"We must adhere to the correct direction of reform and opening-up so as to build a system that is full of vigor, highly efficient, more open and has a favorable environment for scientific development," he said.

He also suggested that the reform of political system be pushed in keeping pace with economic reforms.

Everyone stands up to sing the National Anthem.