On October 20, 2004, Assistant Foreign Minister Lv Guozeng met with the joint African French-speaking journalist group. Lv Guozeng highly commented China-Africa traditional friendship, briefed the journalists on the policies formulated and measures adopted by the Chinese government on developing friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation with African countries and took their questions on strengthening China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, expanding African exports to China, Chinese citizens touring Africa and the reform of the United Nations (UN) Security Council. Lv Guozeng hopes that the journalists can deepen their understanding on China through this visit and introduce to their nationals China's advance and development.

The African journalists indicated their admiration for China's achievements of development and said that they will provide objective coverage on this visit after returning home to promote China-Africa friendship.

This joint journalist group, composed of 16 journalists from 9 African French-speaking countries, visited China at the invitation of the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.