BEIJING - Premier Wen Jiabao said Thursday China welcomed foreigners with expertise to work in the country and China will provide them with good working and living conditions.

Wen made the remarks in a meeting in Beijing with a group of foreign experts who work in China prior to Chinese Lunar New Year.

Extending greetings to the experts and their families, Wen said China had scored hard-won development in 2011, which couldn't have been achieved without the support of foreign experts and friends.

Wen said China is in a critical period of fast growth and transformation. The driving force of its economic growth relies increasingly on the development of science and technology and innovation in management, which require high-quality personnel including foreign experts, he said.

China will pursue more favorable policies that will help attract more foreigners with expertise to work, he said, adding that governments should work to create better conditions for them to work and live.