Colin Powell, who is expected to be replaced by Condoleezza Rice Thursday as the next US secretary of state, made a farewell speech at the State Departmenton Wednesday.

"I want to thank President Bush for giving me the opportunity to serve as the 65th secretary of state and the opportunity not only to be his foreign policy adviser, but to be the leader of this magnificent department," Powell said.

Powell also extended his gratitude for the "support and loyalty" that the State Department has given him during the past four years.

Powell listed what he said were some of the administration's key successes from the fight against terrorism to the toppling of the Taliban in Afghanistan and Saddam Hussein in Iraq.

Powell especially mentioned China, a major nation that the United States once called "an adversary."

"With patient diplomacy and listening to the Chinese in their concern, their listening to us ... over the last several years (we) have put US-Chinese relations on the soundest footing that they have been in decades," he said.

"If you look at what we did with our Asian alliances and alliance members and partners, it is in excellent condition," he added.

Earlier Wednesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the confirmation of Rice as Powell's successor. The full Senate is expected to confirm her in the post Thursday just hours before President Bush's swearing-in ceremony.

Powell submitted his resignation days after Bush won his re-election in November last year.

Source: Xinhua