Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji met with outgoing and newly-appointed foreign ambassadors in Beijing January 17 afternoon at the Great Hall of the People.

The three outgoing ambassadors are Richard C. Smith from Australia, Rhafic Janhangeer from Mauritius and A. K. M. Farook from Bangladesh.

The 11 new ambassadors are Erich Buttenhauser from Austria, Pierre Passi from the Republic of the Congo, Rajab Mohammed Sukayri from Jordan, Bayer Mihaly from Hungary, Lefa Joseph Mokotjo from Lesotho, Haakon B. Hjelde from Norway, Zeljko Kirincic from Croatia, Igor Antonovich Litvin from Ukraine, Saleh Abdulla Albouanin from Qatar, Alberto Rodriguez Arufe from Cuba and Joseph Prueher from the United States.

Zhu in a brief speech extended the gratitude for the three outgoing ambassadors for their efforts in promoting relations between China and their respective countries. Also, he welcomed the 11 new ambassadors and expressed the hope that the relationship between China and their respective countries could be advanced during their tenure in China. (Xinhua)