China welcomes more foreign talented people to come to take part in its construction, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing Tuesday.

China will improve its laws and regulations to create better working and living conditions for foreign experts, Wen said when meeting 50 foreign experts who won this year's "Friendship Award" presented by the Chinese government.

Extending congratulations, greetings and thanks to the award winners, Wen said that absorbing overseas wisdom and talented people is a vital part of China's drive of opening up and the Chinese government will take measures to participate in international exchanges of talent.

The "Friendship Award", launched in 1991, is the supreme award the Chinese government confers annually to those foreign experts who have made outstanding contributions to China's economic and social progress.

The Chinese government presented the award to 50 foreign experts from 19 countries this year. So far, 716 foreign experts have been awarded the honor.

(Xinhua News Agency September 30, 2003)