From May 23 to 28, arranged by the International Press Center and the Foreign Affairs Office of Shanxi province, a group of foreign journalists based in China visited four cities of Shanxi province, i.e. Xi'an, Baoji, Yan'an and Yulin, making interviews on subjects including the ecological environmental protection during the implementation of the western development strategy, the construction of the national energy resources and chemicals base and the latest archaeological discovery of the province.

Governor Chen Deming of Shanxi province met with the journalist, introduced to them the economic and social development of the province and answered their questions about the coal mine production security, energy development and environmental protection, the protective measures of cultural relics and the benefits of west-east natural gas transmission. The mayors of Yan'an and Yulin also received their interviews.

In the hometown of Chinese bronze art - Baoji, the journalists visited Baoji Bronze Museum where they were deeply impressed by the exquisite bronze works. They also visited the Zhougongmiao Temple excavation site which represents the latest archeological discovery in Shanxi province.

In the old revolutionary area of Yan'an, the journalists visited the No.1 mine of Huangling Coal Mine, Yan'an Refinery Group, the Baota District Small Watershed Comprehensive Improvement Project which is part of the loess plateau soil and water conservation program with the World Bank loans and the historical site of Zaoyuan revolution.

In Yulin, the journalists visited the Shanxi Jintai chloro-alakli chemicals project, Changqing Petroleum & Natural Gas Purification Plant which is part of the west-east natural gas transmission project, Shenmu 600,000 tons of methanol project, the Guohua coal and electricity integration project and Yulin Natural Gas and Chemicals Plant.

On their way back to Xi'an the journalists also visited the Mausoleum of Yellow Emperor.

24 journalists from 15 foreign news agencies including Reuters, Agence France Presse, Kyodo News and the US Times joined the interviews.