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The government says it is raising the UK's global diplomatic presence, opening five new embassies and sending extra diplomats to India and China.
However, major savings are planned in Europe where some consulates will close or contract outside capital cities.
William Hague has told Foreign Office staff that the changes will extend and strengthen the UK's influence overseas.
The foreign secretary says it is "the biggest strategic diplomatic advance by Britain in decades".
Promoting trade
Mr Hague, who will set out the details in the House of Commons, is expected to tell MPs there will be 50 extra British staff in China and 30 more in India.
New embassies are planned for five countries including El Salvador, Kyrgyzstan and South Sudan.
A string of new offices will open in provincial cities in the two countries, and across the world's fastest growing economies including Brazil, Mexico, Turkey and Indonesia.
Although no embassies will close, there will be significant cuts elsewhere to pay for the changes.
It is also hoped that reducing Foreign Office numbers in Iraq and Afghanistan will bring large savings, particularly as protection staff can then be reduced as well.
'Lean and efficient'
Mr Hague said: "As foreign secretary I announced on day one that my objective is to ensure that there is no strategic shrinkage of Britain's influence under this government.
"Our diplomatic network is the essential infrastructure for our foreign policy and our influence overseas.
"Taken together, this represents the biggest strategic diplomatic advance by Britain in decades.
"So by 2015 we must aim to be a Foreign Office that is lean and efficient but configured to match the realities of the 21st Century."
BBC diplomatic correspondent James Robbins says all of this may well prove controversial but Mr Hague is apparently determined to extend the UK's influence in a fast-changing world.
Last year, Prime Minister David Cameron promised to transform British foreign policy so it is focused primarily on promoting UK businesses abroad.
Speaking in New York on a trip to the US, Mr Cameron said he wanted diplomats to use every opportunity to win orders for British firms.
BBCHowever, major savings are planned in Europe where some consulates will close or contract outside capital cities.
William Hague has told Foreign Office staff that the changes will extend and strengthen the UK's influence overseas.
The foreign secretary says it is "the biggest strategic diplomatic advance by Britain in decades".
Promoting trade
Mr Hague, who will set out the details in the House of Commons, is expected to tell MPs there will be 50 extra British staff in China and 30 more in India.
New embassies are planned for five countries including El Salvador, Kyrgyzstan and South Sudan.
A string of new offices will open in provincial cities in the two countries, and across the world's fastest growing economies including Brazil, Mexico, Turkey and Indonesia.
Although no embassies will close, there will be significant cuts elsewhere to pay for the changes.
It is also hoped that reducing Foreign Office numbers in Iraq and Afghanistan will bring large savings, particularly as protection staff can then be reduced as well.
'Lean and efficient'
Mr Hague said: "As foreign secretary I announced on day one that my objective is to ensure that there is no strategic shrinkage of Britain's influence under this government.
"Our diplomatic network is the essential infrastructure for our foreign policy and our influence overseas.
"Taken together, this represents the biggest strategic diplomatic advance by Britain in decades.
"So by 2015 we must aim to be a Foreign Office that is lean and efficient but configured to match the realities of the 21st Century."
BBC diplomatic correspondent James Robbins says all of this may well prove controversial but Mr Hague is apparently determined to extend the UK's influence in a fast-changing world.
Last year, Prime Minister David Cameron promised to transform British foreign policy so it is focused primarily on promoting UK businesses abroad.
Speaking in New York on a trip to the US, Mr Cameron said he wanted diplomats to use every opportunity to win orders for British firms.
As far as I'm concerned this can only be a good thing. It'll be paid for by cuts where a presence is not as essential while getting a another foot in the door of countries that already are or are going to be some of the most influential countries in the world. There's no downside here, is there? I'm prepared to be advised otherwise, as is to be expected in politics gossip.
