BEIJING - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with 40 new ambassadors to China on Saturday, ahead of the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Li spoke highly of the development of China's relations with their countries, welcomed them to China and extended his greetings and best wishes to their countries' leaders and people.

Li said China values the friendly ties with these countries, remains committed to the path of peaceful development, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, and sticks to the principles of multilateralism, as well as trade and investment liberalization and facilitation.

China will work with other countries to cope with difficulties and challenges and promote peace, prosperity and sustainable development in the region and the world at large, he said.

Stressing that China has achieved remarkable results in economic and social development in nearly 40 years since its reform and opening-up, Li said it not only benefits the Chinese people, but also contributes to the peace and development of the world.

"We are ready to integrate the Belt and Road Initiative with the development strategies of other countries," the premier said.

These ambassadors conveyed their leaders' greetings on China's National Day, saying that it is a priority of their foreign policies to develop relations with China.

After the meeting, Li invited the ambassadors to a reception marking the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

China's National Day is on Oct 1.