Xi Jinping (C back), general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, communicates with foreign experts working in China during a meeting in Beijing, capital of China, Dec 5, 2012. It is Xi's first meeting with foreign guests since he was elected general secretary of the CPC Central Committee. [Bao Xinguo / Asianewsphoto]

"We are open to the world and we want to learn from the world ... We have learned from the past and realize we cannot succeed in our development behind closed doors," Xi said at the meeting.

Foreigners with expertise in their fields have contributed immensely to national development and are called foreign experts in China. They also bridge China and the outside world.

The number of foreign experts has risen from less than 10,000 at the end of the 1980s to around 530,000 by the end of 2011.

In the 80-minute meeting, Xi received a number of proposals, ranging from reforming universities to better accommodate the real needs of society to helping Chinese firms going abroad.

Pedro Nueno Iniesta, founder of the China Europe International Business School briefed Xi on measures to increase support for small and-medium-sized enterprises.

Atanas Blago Stoyano, a Bulgarian agricultural specialist, proposed a number of measures to boost and vary orchard yields.

Xi, who took notes, told the ministers of finance and human resources at the meeting that the proposals deserved serious consideration.

Speaking of the achievement of China's reform and opening-up, your efforts cannot go unmentioned, Xi told his guests.

Calling foreign experts "bridges and bonds" in China's tie with the world, Xi took the opportunity to speak on China's foreign diplomacy blueprint, saying that Beijing will continue its basic policy of opening-up.

He also said that no country can go it alone or outshine others given the complex situation of the world economy and global issues.

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