The Chinese government and people are ready to work hand in hand with other peace-loving countries and peoples for a world of peace and prosperity, cooperation and development in the 21st century.

Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan made the remarks this evening at a New Year's reception in honor of diplomatic envoys, representatives of international organizations and their families living in China.

He said that China will continue to follow the reform and opening-up policy, and pursue an independent foreign policy of peace, further strengthen unity and cooperation with developing countries, and promote good-neighborly relations with its neighboring countries.

China is eager to develop friendship and cooperation with all other countries based on the five principles of peaceful co- existence, and will work harder to establish an equitable and rational world order in the political and economic arenas, he added.

Tang called 1999 historically significant for China, saying that China has scored remarkable achievements in wide-ranging areas under the collective leadership of the third generation with President Jiang Zemin at the core.

He said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the People 's Republic of China, and the Chinese government resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Macao on December 20, marking another milestone on the road toward the complete reunification of the motherland.

China enjoys political and social stability and economic growth, Tang said, adding that the Chinese people are fully confident in marching along the path of realizing trans-century strategic objectives.