国内英语新闻:Chinese President's speech stresses importance of education

BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao has urged the Communist Party of China and the government to give priority to education in their work, in order to push forward socialist modernization and achieve the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Xinhua News Agency on Wednesday issued the full text of President Hu's speech on the country's education cause, which was made during a high-profile work conference on national education held in Beijing on July 13.

In the speech, President Hu said education is the cornerstone of national rejuvenation and social progress, and the basic means to improve all-round development of individuals.

He said authorities should be innovative when deepening education reform and enhancing international education cooperation, and should promote education equality by protecting citizens' lawful rights to education, supporting those in need, and promoting balanced education development between different regions and between urban and rural areas.

China's National Plan for Medium and Long-term Education Reform and Development (2010-2020) should be fully carried out, Hu said, adding the whole society should be mobilized to support the country's education development.

President Hu said the government should expand education coverage across the country and strive for an equal and high-quality education system for all citizens.

Hu pointed out five objectives in promoting education development.

First, the education cause must be treated as a strategic mission and priority in the country's overall development plan.

Strategic priority should be given to education in the work of the Party and the government, he said, adding that financing and public resources should be allocated in favor of education and human resources development.

Hu pledged that the government will increase investment into education cause and realize a goal that 4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) will be spent on education by 2012.