BEIJING, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan on Thursday called on the staff of China's largest non-governmental organization to be innovative in their approach to diplomatic work.

    He made the appeal at the ninth council meeting of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) which opened here Thursday morning.

    Tang spoke highly of the CPAFFC's achievements in promoting friendly exchanges with other countries. The transformation of the international situation spells new opportunities and new challenges for the country's people-to-people diplomacy, he said.

    He called on CPAFFC staff to carry out diplomatic work in a spirit of innovation, enhance research, and work harder to consolidate friendship between the Chinese people and other peoples in the world.

    During the two-day meeting, participants are expected to draw up a blueprint for the next five years, and elect CPAFFC's new leadership

    Formed in 1954, the CPAFFC has established close ties with more than 370 organizations from 120 countries. In the past five years, the association received nearly 20,000 foreign visitors and sent more than eight thousand abroad. It has made a major contribution to understanding and friendship between the people of China and the rest of the world.