On May 27, 2008, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Hongbo met in the Foreign Ministry with a joint press delegation from 19 African French-speaking countries.

Wu made positive comments on China-Africa relations, adding that in recent years, the relations have witnessed continuous new progress based on the traditional friendship. The Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation was held successfully and the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership featuring political equality and mutual trust, economic win-win cooperation and cultural exchange has been deeply rooted in the hearts of people of both sides. After the Wenchuan earthquake, all African countries swiftly extended sincere condolences and disinterested assistance to the Chinese government and people, which fully demonstrated their profound friendly feelings towards China. Much distress regenerates a nation. With the support of the international community including all African countries, the Chinese government and people are resolved to conquer the disaster, resume normal life in the affected areas and rebuild their beautiful homeland. Wu expressed hope that the delegation members will gain a deeper understanding of China through the visit and comprehensively introduce China to African people.

The journalists said China is not only a beautiful and friendly nation, but more a good partner and friend of Africa. China is always in the hearts of African people, the delegation members said, adding that they all cherish very much this visit as an opportunity to witness China's development and learn about the country. They pledged to offer all-round reporting on China to their people and introduce to them China's enormous achievements since its reform and opening up. The journalists expressed condolences to the victims in the Wenchuan earthquake as well as deep sympathy to the Chinese people, expressing belief that the great Chinese people will be bound to win the battle against the quake.

Wu also briefed the African friends on China's foreign policy, development of journalism, environmental protection policy, the truth of "3.14" riots in Lhasa and preparations for the Beijing Olympic Games.

The delegation from African French-speaking countries is visiting China at the invitation of the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. The delegation is composed of 27 journalists from 19 countries including the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, the Gabonese Republic, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Mauritius, Senegal, Chad, Burundi, Benin, Djibouti, Madagascar, Togo, Comoros, the Central African Republic, Seychelles, Mali and Niger. Besides Beijing, the delegation will also visit Shanghai and Guizhou.