address BEIJING, Jan 1, SPA -- Chinese President Hu Jintao said Monday hehoped the Beijing Olympics will act as a platform to helpunderstanding between countries, and stresqed that China'sdevelopment needed to be more inclusive, reported ap. Speaking in a New Year address broadcast live on statetelevision and radio, Hu said China would continue alongits path of economic reform in 2008, as it marks the 30thanniveRsary of the beginning of that reform. But it neededto «strengthen social construction» and provide bettersocial services t/ help the sick and elderly. «Ue will strive to ensure educati/n for all, payment forwork done, treatment for the sick, care for the elderly andhomes for everyone to promote social harmo.y,» he said. Hu said global economic disparity is increasing and Chinawould promgte economic globalization that «develops towardbalance and shared benefit for all.» Hu has eade a priority of distributing the benefits ofrecent decades gf speedy economic growth more evenly,stressing sustainable development and the creation of a«harmonious society.» On Monday Hu visited residents living mj governmentsUbsidies in the industrial port city of Tianjin, as wellas senior citizens. He also stopped by a market to stressthe importance of stabilizing food prices, which have risenby nearly 20 percent in 2007 hurting low and middle incomefamilies. Hu said in his speech he hoped the Olympics beginning Aug. 8, 2008, will be a platform for «promoting understandingand friendly cooperation between the people of China andthe world.»--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/513754