BEIJING - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with 22 new foreign diplomatic envoys on Monday, stating that China will firmly pursue the path of peaceful development.

Li said China has achieved remarkable progress in its economic and social development, which has made a positive contribution to world peace and development.

China will firmly adhere to the path of peaceful development and deepen friendly cooperation with other countries on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit in order to create an environment for peaceful cooperation, he said.

Li said he hopes that the envoys will play a positive role in promoting bilateral understanding, cooperation and friendship.

The Chinese government will provide support for their work in China, he added.

The envoys congratulated Li on China's National Day that falls on October 1 and extended greetings to China's leaders and people.

They also expressed admiration for China's reform and development achievements, and pledged to spare no efforts in promoting bilateral relations.