The State Council Information Office (SCIO) held a New Year reception in Beijing on Dec. 19. Huang Kunming, head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, was among those in attendance.

The State Council Information Office (SCIO) holds a New Year reception in Beijing on Dec. 19, 2017. Huang Kunming (C), head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Jiang Jianguo (2nd R), deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and minister of the SCIO, Nie Chenxi (2nd L), director of China's State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, Tuo Zhen (1st R), deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and Guo Weimin (1st L), vice minister of the SCIO attended the reception. [Photo by Jiao Fei/China SCIO]

Jiang Jianguo, vice head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and minister of the SCIO, said during his speech at the reception that 2017 has been a milestone year on the development path of China. In 2017, the CPC held its19th National Congress, which established the historical position of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

Jiang said the SICO has stuck to the implementation of guiding principles of the CPC 19th National Congress, committed itself to the study and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, published the book -- "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China (II)," and held a series of exchanges for Chinese and foreign media and think tanks.

The SCIO and various departments and localities have held tens of thousands of press conferences and news briefings, facilitating the media coverage.

Jiang said the year 2018 will mark the beginning of implementing the spirit of the CPC 19th National Congress, and it will also be the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up. Connecting China with the world for better communication and strengthening media exchanges are what the SCIO plans to do in the year to come, he said, pledging to provide higher-quality, more professional services.

More than 400 people, including staff members of Chinese and international press outlets, spokespersons of organs of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, diplomats of foreign countries, as well as representatives from international organizations attended the reception.