China is facing more opportunities than challenges to develop its external relations, said Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Wednesday.

Calling it a general trend in past five years, Yang told a press conference during the annual full session of China's parliament that most countries in the world see a stronger China as a chance of development but some who have doubts would advocate to contain China.

The international situation will become more complex in next five years with both positive and negative factors, Yang said. "We are ready to meet challenges and translate them into opportunities, and opportunities into reality."

The international balance of power is changing in favor of peace and development but the world is not entirely peaceful, he said.

China is ready to work with people in the world for a better future, he said. "We have full confidence in the future of China and the future of the world."

As a new foreign minister, Yang said that he will work with his foreign counterparts in promoting bilateral and multilateral relations and for solutions to global and regional issues.

Yang took the post of Foreign Minister last April and this was the first time for him to meet domestic and foreign media in the country's legislative season.

(Xinhua News Agency March 12, 2008)