A ceremony to mark the publication of China's Foreign Affairs (2004 Edition) was held on May 31, 2004 at Beijing Diaoyutai State Guest house. Diplomatic envoys, journalists of major Chinese and foreign press and responsible government officials attended the ceremony.

China's Foreign Affairs, compiled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a White Paper on China's diplomacy. The book renders readers comprehensive explanation of China's foreign policy and its stance on international situation. It also offers a systematic review of China's foreign relations of the past year. Since its first publication in 1987, the book is published on an annual basis both to Chinese and foreign readers. To enable more overseas readers to acquire an in-depth understanding of China's foreign policy, the 2004 edition has, for the first time, a full translated text in English.