On the eve of the New Year's Day, on behalf of all the colleagues in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I'd like to extend gratitude to our friends at home and abroad for their support and care for and understanding of the Chinese diplomatic undertakings and express best New Year wishes!

In the past year, Chinese diplomacy adhered to the principles of "peace, cooperation and development" to make friends. We actively participated in international and regional affairs and was committed to maintaining world peace and promoting common development. We also explored the economic diplomacy, conducted public diplomacy, strengthened consular protection and faithfully practiced the purpose of "focusing on people and serving the people" of Chinese diplomacy.

In the new year, we will continue to coexist peacefully and conduct friendly exchanges with other countries in the world in the spirit of equality, mutual trust and win-win cooperation, bring about tangible and practical benefits to the people, better serve the building of a welfare society in an all-round way and the great undertaking of the peaceful reunification of the country and make new contributions to the causes of human progress.

                                                                                                                                                           Li Zhaoxing

                                                                                                                                                 On December 31, 2004