Chinese leaders extend Spring Festival greetings to nation

Chinese President Hu Jintao presides over a gathering held by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 1, 2011. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

Chinese President Hu Jintao (front) attends a gathering held by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 1, 2011. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

Top Communist Party of China (CPC) and state leaders Hu Jintao (C, front), Wu Bangguo (4th R, front), Wen Jiabao (4h L, front), Jia Qinglin (3rd R, front), Li Changchun (3rd L, front), Xi Jinping (2nd R, front), Li Keqiang (2nd L, front), He Guoqiang (1st R, front) and Zhou Yongkang (1st L, front) attend a gathering in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 1, 2011. (Xinhua/Huang jingwen)

Top Communist Party of China (CPC) and state leaders Hu Jintao (C, front), Wu Bangguo (4th R, front), Wen Jiabao (4h L, front), Jia Qinglin (3rd R, front), Li Changchun (3rd L, front), Xi Jinping (2nd R, front), Li Keqiang (2nd L, front), He Guoqiang (1st R, front) and Zhou Yongkang (1st L, front) attend a gathering in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 1, 2011. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R, front) talks to people from all walks of life at a gathering held by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 1, 2011. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao addresses a Spring Festival gathering held by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 1, 2011, to mark the upcoming Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb. 3 this year. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

Photo taken on Feb. 1, 2011 shows a gathering held by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese leaders on Tuesday offered festive greetings to people across the nation as well as overseas Chinese around the world at a gathering to mark the Lunar New Year that falls on Feb. 3.

President Hu Jintao, top legislator Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao and top political advisor Jia Qinglin attended the gathering, held by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Hosting the gathering, Hu, also General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, extended regards to Chinese people at home and abroad and foreign friends on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council.

Premier Wen delivered a speech, vowing constant and intensive efforts to improve the people's well-being in the new year.

"Everything we do, we do for the welfare of the people," he said. "We must always have the people's well-being at heart and solve the most concerning, most intimate and real problems of the people through hard, meticulous, and constant work."

Wen said the government would resolutely work to curb price hikes, fine tune the real estate market, stick to the development path of common prosperity, and develop social programs.

"We have the confidence and the ability to overcome any difficulties and challenges in handling China's affairs so that the people can live and work in peace and contentment, be free from anxiety, and live with greater happiness and dignity," said Wen.

Other leaders, including Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang and Zhou Yongkang, also attended the gathering.

The Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, is the most important traditional festival for Chinese.