President Hu Jintao yesterday stressed once again the importance of reform and innovation so as to implement the scientific concept of development and promote social harmony in 2008.

To fulfill all the tasks for the year, China should "unswervingly stick to the direction of reform and step it up in key areas", and establish a system helpful to scientific development and innovation, Hu said in a speech.

Hu was speaking at the New Year's Day gathering held by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing.