New Chinese foreign minister vows to work for harmonious world

BEIJING, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Newly appointed Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Sunday that China will assume its due responsibility and make unremitted efforts to build a harmonious world of sustained peace and common prosperity.

In a message posted at the official web site of the Foreign Ministry, the new Foreign Minister said China will continue to pursue the mutually beneficial strategy of opening up to the outside world and advance friendly cooperation with all other countries on the basis of the five principles of peaceful co-existence.

Speaking about China's foreign relations, he said China will firmly safeguard sovereignty, security and development interests of the nation while holding up high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit.

"China is ready to become a good friend and partner of all other countries in the world," Wang said in the message.

He also encouraged people to frequent the Foreign Ministry's web site as a way to know about a growing China of bright future.

"China is an important member of the international community," Wang said. "We need to learn more about the world, while the world needs to learn more about China."

Wang was appointed as the Foreign Minister at the first session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC), China's legislative body, on Saturday.