On the afternoon of Dec. 7, 2013, the 11th Oath-Taking Ceremony for Chinese Diplomatic Envoys Stationed Abroad and the Public Open Day of "Improving the Diplomacy to the Satisfaction of the People" was held in the Oliver Hall, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui and the leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs present in Beijing, attended the event. Over 260 people, including representatives of some central government agencies, the public and students participated in the ceremony.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivered a speech to the newly appointed diplomatic envoys at the ceremony. Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui announced the appointment decision. Assistant Foreign Minister Qian Hongshan chaired the ceremony. The 11 designate ambassadors took a solemn oath in front of the national flag. Wang Yong, who is going to take office in Iraq, delivered a speech on behalf of the designate diplomatic envoys.
In his address, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that people are the source of strong backing and strength for China's diplomacy. Improving the diplomacy to the satisfaction of the people and defending national sovereignty, honor and dignity, is the relentless pursuit of the Chinese diplomats from one generation to another. Improving the diplomacy to the satisfaction of the people and providing safeguards for the realization of the "Chinese Dream" is the bounden duty of contemporary Chinese diplomats. Improving the diplomacy to the satisfaction of the people and always putting the people first is the unflagging feelings of the Chinese diplomats. The ambassadors, as the highest representatives of the country's foreign envoys, are the first responsible persons for maintaining interests of overseas compatriots. Therefore, the ambassadors should effectively establish the concept of working for the people, improve the sense of public service, and put the people's real interests in heart. Minister Wang Yi expressed the hope that the envoys would keep their oath and the people in mind, be brave to take responsibilities, and work hard to understand needs of the people and benefit people's livelihood. Minister Wang Yi expected the envoys to win glory for the country, to serve the people, and to serve the nation. He wished the envoys to make new contributions to the completion of building a moderately prosperous society and the realization of the "Chinese dream" in their new positions.
Before the start of the ceremony, the envoys had interactions with the public. The public experiencing the consular protection incidents, based on their own experience, paid their highest tribute to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for fulfilling the mission of "people-centric diplomacy and diplomacy for the people".