<正>THE dawn of a new millennium augurs both hopes and challenges. Since the start of the 21st century, most particularly since the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) 10 years ago, China has covered an uneven path of development. Devastating natural disasters, along with grim challenges of the international financial crisis, prompted and led to the CPC’s formulation of effective international and domestic policies. Having surmounted difficulties and advanced under the CPC leadership, the country has maintained a steady momentum of rapid development towards its objective of becoming an all-round moderately prosperous society.