On September 29, 2009, Vice Foreign Minister Song Tao met with and hosted a banquet in Diaoyutai State Guesthouse for part of the overseas Chinese scholars who were invited to attend the celebration on the 60th anniversary of the founding of New China.

Extending welcome to the Chinese professionals abroad, Song reviewed and spoke highly of the positive role of overseas talents in promoting China's modernization drive and foreign exchanges. He said that overseas scholars are welcomed to return to China and actively take part in China’s efforts of building an innovation-oriented country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassies and consulates abroad are willing to provide them with help and services.