BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- The Chinese government has actively promoted a government news briefing system across the country this year and has seen great results, said a senior official with the State Council Information Office (SCIO) on Friday.

    "We have made unremitting efforts to promote the establishment of government news briefing systems at various levels. This year, the SCIO sponsored 58 press conferences, the most since the institution of government news briefing mechanism," said Zhao Qizheng, director of SCIO, at the New Year reception held by the SCIO.

    Sixty-two departments under the State Council and 20 provincial governments have designated spokespersons, and 2,000 spokespersons from government department at various levels have undergone intensive training, according to Zhao.

    The SCIO also published four white papers written by the Chinese government.

    "The SCIO will continue improving the work and service to the media both at home and abroad in 2005," said Zhao.

    About 300 diplomatic envoys, overseas media representatives, Chinese officials and news spokespersons attended the function.