BEIJING, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi pledged Sunday China will continue to cooperate with other countries to address global challenges in the coming new year.

    "China will continue to work with the rest of the international community to tackle various global challenges with full confidence and jointly advance world peace and development," said Yang at a new year reception held by the Foreign Ministry for foreign diplomats and officials of international organizations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China holds a New Year reception for foreign envoys and guests in China, in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 20, 2009. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) Photo Gallery>>>

    He said the year 2010 will be crucial for the recovery of the global economy, the reform of the international system and China's efforts to ensure stability and promote development.

    "We will work to maintain steady and relatively fast economic growth, and at the same time speed up the transformation of the economic development pattern so that our effort on these two fronts will reinforce each other," Yang said.

    He said China will remain committed to the path of peaceful development and the win-win strategy of opening-up, and pursue development that is peaceful, open and cooperative.

Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo (2nd R) and Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi (1st L) toast with a foreign guest during a New Year reception held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 20, 2009. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) Photo Gallery>>>

    Yang told reporters at the reception the Shanghai World Expo is one of the major tasks of China's diplomatic work in 2010.

    He said he would like to take the reception as an opportunity to promote the expo to the international community and invite overseas people to visit China during the event next year.

    In his speech, Nolana Ta Ama, dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Togo's ambassador to China, said as China plays an increasingly important role on the international stage, it will continue to devote itself to the world affairs in 2010.

    Over 400 people, including China's State Councilor Dai Bingguo, attended the reception.