BEIJING, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said here on Sunday that China was misunderstood by some people who have accused the country of becoming "tough," and he called for the abandonment of "colored spectacles" about China.

"We stick to our principals, which is totally different from being tough," Yang said at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi answers questions during a news conference on the sidelines of the Third Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, March 7, 2010

It has always been the mission for China's diplomacy to defend China's sovereignty, security and development interests, while promoting world peace and development, he said.