Zhao Qizheng, director of the State Council Information Office, has urged officials of China's publicity operations for overseas to work harder to promote the image of the country in the international community.

Zhao, who also heads the International Communication Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, urged the promotion of publicity to the world on the country's achievements in economic development and social progress, in accordance with the requirements of the central leadership.

The official made these remarks at today's closing of a national work conference on publicity work for overseas.

Zhao also called on the publicity officials to actively express China's positions in accordance with the change of the world opinion environment.

He expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by all those who work in the field to boost China's international image last year, and urged them to work harder in the new year for the current reform, opening up, and the modernization drive, the reunification of China, and the country's strategic goals in the new century.

A group of leading officials for publicity work for overseas of the central and local governments and the CPC departments participated in the conference.