The Chinese government welcomed more foreign journalists to the country, and would provide them with better information services, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu on Wednesday.

Ma made the remarks at a New Year reception for foreign journalists in China.

China would hold the Shanghai World Expo and the Guangzhou Asian Games this year, he noted.

Relevant departments and local authorities would endeavor to provide quality information and services for foreign journalists to help make their reports more comprehensive, prompt, subjective and accurate, Ma said.

Ma said the ministry will make further efforts in public diplomacy this year to help foreign people better understand China.

He spoke highly of the role foreign journalists played in introducing China to the rest of the world.

Foreign media and journalists in China, as witnesses and participants of China's development in an important and eventful year of 2009, have promoted understanding, cooperation and friendship between China and the rest of the world with comprehensive and in-depth reports, Ma said.

Zhao Huimin, director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Beijing Municipal Government, called on foreign journalists to continue to report Beijing's development and take the city as their second home.

More than 500 foreign reporters, press officials from foreign embassies, Chinese officials and reporters attended the reception.