The information department of China's Foreign Ministry held a New Year's reception Monday evening for foreign embassy press officials and journalists.  

Assistant Foreign Minister Shen Guofang attended the reception and wished the foreign press people a pleasant new year.

Director-general of the information department Kong Quan said the year 2003 was quite eventful for China, as there were many important domestic, political and diplomatic events that the press people covered.

He hoped that through the press people's pens and cameras, the international community could have an even fuller and deeper understanding of the development and changes China is undergoing and the grand cause the Chinese people are undertaking, he said.

More than 10 spokesmen from relevant Chinese government departments and some Chinese press people also attended the reception.

(Xinhua News Agency January 13, 2004)