China's top information officer yesterday pledged
to make it more convenient for foreign journalists to cover news in
the country.
Cai Wu, minister of the State Council Information
Office, made the promise at a New Year reception he hosted last
night.
About 300 guests from Chinese and foreign media
organizations, diplomatic missions, ministries and commissions
under the central government, and commercial firms were
present.
Cai said he would like to thank all the journalists
who have helped the world know China better through accurate and
objective reporting.
"We want to send a strong message through the media
that China is determined to stick to the path of peaceful
development," the minister said.
"We also hope the pens and cameras in your hands
will help the world learn of China's determination and confidence
in working together with other countries for a peaceful, prosperous
and harmonious world."
There have been an increasing number of
international reports about China, particularly positive ones, Cai
noted.
"We hope more and more journalists from the
international media come to China to cover achievements as well as
problems in an objective manner," he said.
Describing his office as an organization to serve
the media, Cai said he welcomes any suggestions or proposals.
Gennady Krivosheev, bureau chief of Interfax China,
said he appreciated the efforts of Cai's office in providing
information during the past year.
"They arranged a lot of press conferences,
including recent ones on bird flu and pollution in the Songhua
River, which helped the rest of the world get a truer picture of
China."
(China Daily December 21, 2005)