Chinese President Hu Jintao said Saturday in Beijing that China must stay focused on the primary task of development and strive for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

"Backwardness leaves one vulnerable to attack -- this is the hard lesson the Chinese people have learnt from their tragic experience of repeated foreign invasions in modern history," Hu said at a gathering to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Chinese people's victory in the war of resistance against Japanese aggression and the the victory of the world anti-fascist war.

"A country has to strengthen itself before it can be sure of its place in the world," he said.

He said it takes persistent and hard work to build a moderately prosperous society in all respects in China and to achieve the great national rejuvenation.

"We must adhere firmly to the strategic thinking that development is of overriding importance, keep a firm grasp of and make good use of the window of strategic opportunities, stick to the scientific outlook on development in guiding overall economic and social development...steadily enhance the economic and scientific strengthen and defense capabilities and the cohesive force of the Chinese nation," he said.

Source: Xinhua