Chinese Vice-President Zeng Qinghong said on Tuesday that China made better-than-expected achievements in 2003 despite the unexpected difficulties the country encountered.

Addressing a New Year's party attended by retired officials, the vice-president described the past year as extraordinary in the process of the development of both the Communist Party of China and the whole country.

The vice-president attributed the achievements to the leadership of the Party's Central Committee under the Party's General Secretary Hu Jintao and strenuous efforts made by the whole Party and people of various ethnic groups across China.

China maintained fast and stable economic growth following the unprecedented outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome across the country in the second quarter of 2003, shortly after the new Chinese government was elected.

The vice president promised that the Party and governments at all levels will continue their efforts to make life comfortable and better for the retired officials.

(Xinhua News Agency January 14, 2004)