Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said Friday in Beijing that China will peacefully develop and adhere to an independent foreign policy of peace in the coming year.

Li 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.

This year, China, in a bid to safeguard the fundamental interest of the Chinese and world people, carried out many exchanges and cooperation with foreign partners, played constructive role in major international and regional issues and made contributions to world peace and common development, Li said.

China will "hold high the banner of peace, development and cooperation", adhere to an independent foreign policy of peace, stick to a road of peaceful development, seek domestic development and harmony and promote world peace and cooperation in 2006, he said.

Konan Kramo, ambassador of Cote d'Ivoire said on behalf of the diplomatic corps in Beijing that China has been an "essential player" in the world political and economic arena, safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.

He expressed congratulations on China's achievements in national building-up and said he believes China will further cooperate with foreign partners.

Source: Xinhua