Xi Jinping predicts a "severe" economic situation.
In his first speech of 2013, the incoming Chinese president, who takes office in March, reviewed the country's progress over the past year and the challenges for the coming months.
World Opera - China's future president, Xi Jinping, delivered his first speech of 2013 on Tuesday (January 1st), in which he spoke about the country's progress last year and the challenges for the next 12 months.
According to the Chinese news agency Xinhua, the day also marked the first meeting of the year with Chinese leaders. Present were the country's current president, Hu Jintao, and the prime minister, Wen Jiabao.
In his speech, Xi stated that 2013 represents the beginning of the implementation of the policies stipulated during the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party. According to the future president, in the recently concluded year the country made progress in promoting economic and social development, maintaining stability, and facing a "severe" international economic situation.
The new Chinese leader has pledged to join efforts with other countries to pursue development and peace.
Hu Jintao will hand over the position of Chief Executive to Xi, the current Secretary of the Communist Party, after the annual plenary session of the National People's Congress, which will begin on March 5 and end about two weeks later.