Zhao Qizheng, director of the Information Office, said on January 20 that the routine press conferences of the Information Office of the State Council will be held more frequently this year, in a bid to help overseas correspondents stationed in Beijing to report on a developing China.

Zhao said that under the leadership of President Jiang Zemin, China's reform and opening-up drive as well as its economic construction are expected to make great strides this year.

He said the Information Office will provide the overseas press with more help and greater conveniences in their work and encouraged them to submit suggestions to the information office.

The reception was attended by overseas correspondents stationed in Beijing, press officials of foreign embassies, spokesman of the Information Office and senior officials of major Beijing-based news organizations.