"The majority of athletes are satisfied with the air quality, and officers at diplomatic missions of all countries will confirm that it is safer to work in China than anywhere else," Yang Jiechi said.
He said China "would like to discuss with the world public ways of improving the quality of the Games."
"We are inviting everyone to submit their proposals and criticism," he said.
One of the world's top long distance runners said he would not compete in the marathon at the Beijing Olympics because China's air pollution would pose an unacceptable health risk.
Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia said: "The pollution in China is a threat to my health and it would be difficult for me to run 42km. But I am not pulling out of the Olympic event in Beijing altogether. I plan to participate in the 10,000-metre event."
Last year, Jacques Rogge, the president of the International Olympic Committee, suggested that some endurance events might have to be postponed if pollution was particularly bad.
Beijing said it has spent 120 billion yuan ($16.9 billion) to improve air quality in recent years. It said the number of "blue sky" days, or days with fairly good air quality, increased to 246 last year from 100 in 1998.
The Chinese government said previously it expects the most pollution indicators to meet national and World Health Organization standards.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday that China would continue its efforts to improve security conditions during the Olympics. He said China "has the determination, confidence and competence to ensure the safe and successful hosting of an Olympic Games."
