Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said in Beijing Saturday that China will remain on the road of peaceful development and adhere to the mutually beneficial strategy in the coming year.

Yang made the remarks at a new year reception hosted by the Foreign Ministry in the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, at which State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and nearly 400 foreign diplomats and Chinese officials were present.

The year 2007 has been special for Chinese people, said Yang. The 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China was held, which blueprinted the socialist construction with Chinese characteristics.

Recalling the past year, Yang said China adhered to an independent foreign policy of peace and scored remarkable achievements.

China further expanded and deepened the cooperation with foreign countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and took an active part in multilateral diplomacy and international efforts addressing global issues, he said.

China will work with people from all the other countries to build a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity in 2008, Yang added.

Mhd Kheir Al-Wadi, Syrian Ambassador to China, said on behalf of the diplomatic corps in Beijing that China has played a constructive role in safeguarding world peace, security, stability and justice, and promoting the common development.

He expressed congratulations on China's achievements in national building-up and wished a great success of the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.
 
(Xinhua News Agency December 30, 2007)