BEIJING - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Monday that the Chinese government will improve systems and services to create better working and living conditions for foreign experts in China.

Li made the remarks while meeting foreign experts who were given China's annual "Friendship Award" for their contribution to the country's development.

Congratulating the experts, Li said China's great achievements since reform and opening up owed to the hard work of the Chinese people and contributions from foreign experts.

China will continue to open to the outside world, learn from international advanced technologies and management experience, and promote long-term, sustained and sound economic development and social progress, the premier said.

He vowed that China will continue to deepen system reform and inspire the innovative vitality of all kinds of talents with a market approach.

More foreign experts are welcome to come and work in China, Li said, expressing hope that they could take the country as their "second hometown" and contribute to its development, especially the central and western parts.

The foreign experts vowed to continue to contribute to China's modernization.

The meeting was held before a reception to mark the 64th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. All the foreign experts were invited to attend the reception at the Great Hall of the People.

The "Friendship Award" is an annual honor issued by the Chinese government to outstanding foreign experts in China. Fifty such experts were awarded this year, and a total of 1,299 from 67 countries and regions have been honored since 1991, when the Friendship Award scheme was established.

Premier Li Keqiang poses with winners of 2013 Friendship Award for a picture at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Sept 30, 2013. [Photo by Xu Jingxing/Asianewsphoto]

Related： 50 foreign experts honored with Friendship Awards  China Friendship Award winner Ravi Shankar