More than 100 labor heroes and model workers from different posts around China came to visit the Foreign Ministry in Beijing Friday afternoon to acquaint themselves with knowledge relating to their country's external work.

Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said "I will do my best to learn from you", while paying his sincere tribute to these model workers, all the elite of various professions and trades in the country. Some of them are from central government departments, while others selected from local provinces and municipalities across China.

"I also hope my colleagues would learn from you and draw inspiration from your outstanding deeds, so as to serve China's diplomatic work better still.

The diplomatic work and external service need the support of all people in China, including all those present, he acknowledged. The minister briefed visitors on the gist of current world situation and China's foreign policy, underscoring that common efforts of the people from all walks of life are required to contribute in building a peaceful external environment.

These model workers also toured the press release hall, where Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan, also director general of the ministry's Information Department, gave them a general account of the work situation with the ministry and its embassies and consulates overseas and salient features of their respective service work.

Feng Xianbao, an urban community service worker from east China's Jiangxi Province, said: Arduous efforts of Chinese diplomats have provide an outer peaceful and stable environment, so that common people are able to build up their homes at ease and lead a happy, contented life.

The nationwide selection of the model workers, conducted by the State Council, the Chinese cabinet, has been held since 1950, and once every five years since 1989. It was intended to pick out exemplary figures from the country's huge working population of about 750 million to spur public morale for the socialist construction. The winners of this year's award, nearly 3,000, is expected to announce in Beijing Saturday.

Since September 2003, China's Foreign Ministry has moved to open its affairs to the general public, to let them visit the ministry and to get direct knowledge about China's foreign policies and the ministry's working progress. The ministry has established a mechanism to open to public twice a year.

"This is the first time for model workers to visit the ministry," sources with the Foreign Ministry said.

(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2005)