Delivering the keynote speech at a new year celebration for the country's top political advisory body Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), reviewed the CPC's work in 2014.

He discussed achievements in the fight against corruption, improving Party members' work style and punishing formalism, bureaucracy, hedonism and extravagance. Eighty key tasks set by the central leading group for comprehensively deepening reform have been completed, with some difficult problems having been tackled, he said. Despite the achievements, Xi warned of hardships and risks ahead.

He vowed to continue deepening reforms, implementing rule of law, running the Party strictly, enhancing innovation, strengthening risk control and improving people's life.

"We must unswervingly safeguard Hong Kong and Macao's lasting prosperity and stability and deepen exchanges across the Taiwan Strait," Xi said.

He said the "Belt and Road Initiatives" to revive the ancient Silk Road from China via Central Asia and Russia to Europe and the Silk Road Economic Belt should be actively implemented. Arrangements concerning promoting rule of law should be put into practice one by one and comprehensively implementing rule of law is an "extensive and profound revolution" in the field of state governance, Xi said.

He stressed the democratic consultation role of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) which marked 65th anniversary in 2014.

Xi urged to consolidate and develop the broadest possible patriotic united front, adhere to and improve the system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation.

On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, State Council and CMC, Xi extended New Year greetings to non-CPC members, people's organizations, as well as people from all walks of life including "workers, farmers, intellectuals, cadres, soldiers and police officers." - XINHUA