Chinese President Hu Jintao called on diplomats to play a bigger role in serving the country's reform and national interests as China is seeking a stable and rapid development amid global economic downturn.

    "China is at a crucial moment in dealing with the financial crisis and maintaining rapid economic development ... diplomacy must better serve the overall situation of reform, development and stability," said President Hu while addressing a national meeting attended by diplomatic envoys, which ended Monday, July 20 in Beijing.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L Front) meets with the participants of a meeting for Chinese diplomats prior to the meeting in Beijing, capital of China, July 17, 2009. The 11th meeting for Chinese diplomats was held in Beijing on July 17-20. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    The nine members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, including top legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao, attended the meeting.

    "Under the new situation, diplomacy must rely on, serve and promote the development. It should focus on the task of ensuring growth, people's life and stability," He said.

    President Hu urged Chinese envoys to join the global efforts for promoting economic growth, safeguard national sovereignty and security, firmly follow the one-China policy and maintain stability.

    China will stick to the independent foreign policy of peace, pursue the path of peaceful development and develop friendly cooperation with all the countries in line with the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, President Hu said.

    Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao also addressed the meeting, saying "the recovery of the global economy will be a slow process with twists and turns, there must be a long-term preparedness to effectively deal with (the global downturn)".

    The global financial crisis has plunged the world into deep recession, and it's difficult to say the global downturn has reached the bottom, Premier Wen said.