China, the world's fourth largest economy, has promised to quadruple output per head by the year 2020.
In his opening speech to the Communist Party Congress, President Hu Jintao said China need to face up to environmental challenges and the gap between rich and poor.
In a two-and-a-half hours long speech, Mr Hu outlined the Communist Party's major priorities for the economy, environment, military, Taiwan and social issues.
He was speaking to more than 2,000 delegates in the Great Hall of the People at the opening of the 17th Congress of the party, which is held every five years.
The Chinese president called for continued reforms and economic growth, but with greater attention to imbalances caused by the country's rapid development.
Mr Hu will almost certainly receive another five-year term during the week-long Congress, but it is also expected to determine a successor to take over from him in 2012.
Among the key points of his speech, Mr Hu called for a peace agreement with Taiwan, a quadrupling of the economy by 2020, a crackdown on corruption, greater energy conservation and environmental protection, and efforts to spread the economic boom's benefits more fairly throughout society.
