BEIJING - Chinese President Hu Jintao said the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation must be achieved by adhering to socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Hu made the remarks at a ceremony to commemorate the 100th anniversary of China's 1911 Revolution on Sunday morning at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Hu said, the history of the 100 years since the Revolution of 1911 shows that a correct path and a core force leading the Chinese people forward are key to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

"The Chinese people eventually found them through painstaking efforts and enormous sacrifices."

"The correct path is the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and the core force is the Communist Party of China (CPC)," Hu said.

The path of socialism with Chinese characteristics is based on historical lessons and experiences, Hu said, adding that "This path accords with China's realities and the demands of the times, and conforms to the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the Chinese people and the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation".

Further, Hu said "in carrying out the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, we must ensure that development is for the people and by the people and it benefits the people".

Hu also called for efforts to advance economic development, political progress, cultural progress and social development, to improve the ecosystem and carry out Party building, and to constantly improve people's well-being.

The 1911 Revolution, which began on Oct 10, 1911 with an armed uprising, ended 2,000 years of imperial rule by toppling the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and resulted in a republican government, the first in Asia.