HONG KONG, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government will continue to firmly adhere to the path of peaceful development no matter what the international environment is, a Chinese diplomat said here Thursday.

    Xie Xiaoyan, deputy commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affair of the People's Republic of China, made the remarks when giving a lunch speech at the Hong Kong Foreign Correspondents' Club.

    He said that the Chinese government adheres to the path of peaceful development as well as building a harmonious society, which is a natural choice on account of the current situation and the tradition of culture in China.

    He added that China will unwaveringly hold high the banner of peace, cooperation and development, and cooperate with other countries to build a harmonious world with lasting peace and common prosperity.

    When answering questions about the Measures for Administering the Release of News and Information in China by Foreign News Agencies after the speech, Xie said China's new controls on foreign news agencies are not intended to restrict the normal flow of information.

    The measures are aimed at regulating the release of news and information in China by foreign news agencies and the subscription of such news and information by users in China and to promote the dissemination of news and information in a sound and orderly manner, he noted.

    Xinhua News Agency on Sept. 10 promulgated the Measures for Administering the Release of News and Information in China by Foreign News Agencies. Enditem