The C.C., Communist Party and the State Council of China arranged a gathering to mark the lunar New Year at the Great Hall of the People on Jan. 21.

Present there were Hu Jintao, general secretary of the C.C., CPC and president of China, and senior party and state officials and people from all walks of life in the capital city.

Wen Jiabao, premier of the State Council, in his speech at the gathering said that 2012 is a year of important significance in the course of China's development.

He underlined the need to enhance sustainable economic and social development as well as place more importance on people's livelihoods, letting the people share the achievements of reform.

He called for pushing forward the socialist modernization drive in one mind under the leadership of the Party Central Committee with Hu Jintao as its general secretary and greeting the 18th National Congress of the CPC with excellent achievements.

Prior to it, Hu Jintao and other senior party and state officials paid visits to former leaders to extend New Year greetings.

There were also such festive events as army-people art performance, tea party with officials of different nationalities, round-table talks with non-party personages.