BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Sunday that strengthening the system of safety protection for Chinese nationals and interests overseas is the unremitting pursuit of the Chinese foreign service in the new era.

In the past year, China firmly protected the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies overseas and urged governments of host countries to protect the safety of Chinese personnel and projects, Wang said at a press conference on the sidelines of the ongoing session of the national legislature.

Wang said China resolutely countered unwarranted suppression targeting Chinese companies, and helped them strengthen risk preparedness and the ability to defend their interests through legal means.

China will as always put the people first, further strengthen overseas security protection capabilities, and build a security risk prevention system that covers the entire globe, Wang said.