Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Monday vowed the administration's resolve to stick to reform and opening up on the eve of the 59th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.

"We will continue to free our mind, stick to reform and opening up, promote social harmony and strive for new achievements in building a moderately prosperous society," Wen said at a reception in the Great Hall of the People marking the anniversary.

Present at the reception were senior Chinese leaders Hu Jintao, Wu Bangguo, Jia Qinglin, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang, Zhou Yongkang and more than 1,000 Chinese and foreign personages.

Wen said the year 2008 has been eventful, citing the devastating snowstorm in January and the disastrous earthquake in May.

He also hailed the successes of the Beijing Olympics, the Paralympics and the Shenzhou-7 manned space flight.

Saying China is faced with "many difficulties and problems" in its striving for modernization, Wen said, "We have full confidence that we will overcome them."

Wen attributed the confidence to the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China and the government, the solidarity and the hard work of the Chinese people, the experience in reform and development, he said.

As this year coincided with the 30th anniversary of China's reform and opening up, Wen said this drive was "a crucial choice that shaped the course of China's development."

"It represents the only way leading to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," Wen said.

Thanks to reform and opening up, China has embarked on the road of sustained and fast development, the premier said.

The central government will continue to work with compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao to maintain and promote prosperity and stability, to work with the Taiwan compatriots to bring about new progress in the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, Wen said.

China will follow the path of peaceful development, adhere to an independent foreign policy of peace and work for a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity, Wen said.

Editor: Yan