Senior leaders visit exhibition on China's progress

President Hu Jintao and other senior leaders on Friday visited an exhibition showcasing the country's progress in political, economic, cultural and ecological spheres over the past decade. The exhibition, entitled "Scientific Development and Splendid Achievements," includes 2,110 photographs and 204 charts, as well as 765 objects, video clips and electronic photo albums. The exhibits are intended to illustrate the country's achievements, including the holding of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2010 Shanghai Expo, as well as its increasing grain output, reforms in the cultural industry and urban and rural social insurance. During the visit, Hu hailed the achievements made by the Communist Party of China (CPC), the military and Chinese from all ethnic groups in reform and opening-up and the construction of socialist modernization since the 16th CPC National Congress. "From a new historic starting point, we must hold high the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, forge ahead on the socialist path with Chinese characteristics unswervingly and continue to push forward scientific development, promote social harmony, improve people's livelihoods and interests and unremittingly strive for the full establishment of a moderately prosperous society and the realization of the revival of the Chinese nation," Hu said. Other senior leaders, including Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang and Zhou Yongkang, also visited the exhibition. The exhibition, scheduled to run from Friday to Nov. 26, is being sponsored by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, the National Development and Reform Commission, the People's Liberation Army General Political Department and the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee.