With the Chinese New Year just around the corner, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council held cordial discussions with and extended New Year's greetings to representatives of foreign experts working in China and their families in the Great Hall of the People on the afternoon of January 31, 2013.

After listening to the views of foreign experts Shaidurov, Davis, and Kuapan, Wen said experts attending the discussions consisted of veteran experts who have been long devoted to China’s revolution and construction and excellent experts who have scored outstanding achievements in China's education, research, culture and health sectors. Extending festive greetings to both the attendants and all foreign experts working in China and their families, Wen expressed his gratitude to them for their care and valuable suggestions on China’s government work.

Wen said that foreign friends and experts have contributed to China's achievements in its revolution and modernization drive, which the Chinese people will always keep in mind.

The premier also said China will unswervingly stick to the policy of reform and opening-up. Only when a nation is open and inclusive can it become prosperous, and the number and quality of foreign experts reflects how open and civilized a country is. Wen pledged that China will, as it has always done in the past, continue to welcome a large number of foreign experts, especially high-end talent in all fields to work in China, and China will provide better policies and working environments for their research work and cooperation in the country.

State Councilor and Secretary General of the State Council Ma Kai and State Councilor Dai Bingguo also attended the discussions.