BEIJING, March 7 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said Tuesday the government will do its best to protect its citizens abroad, and he advised them to better protect themselves in the meantime.

    He suggested Chinese citizens learn local laws and customs and abide by them when traveling overseas, and keep in mind the phone numbers of Chinese embassies and consulates in foreign countries.

    "Serving the people is the essence of China's diplomacy. It foremost serves peace, development and cooperation and meanwhile safeguards the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens and legal entities abroad," said Li at a press conference held on the sideline of the annual session of China's National People's Congress.

    Last year, more than 31 million Chinese citizens made trips abroad, and China's embassies and consulates handled nearly 30,000consular cases, Li said.

    In the road accident in Egypt and the attack of three Chinese engineers in Pakistan, China's ministries of foreign affairs and commerce and relevant diplomatic organs acted quickly to help the Chinese citizens involved.

    "Some Chinese overseas told me that these incidents made them feel proud of being a Chinese," said the foreign minister. Enditem