On August 23, 2012, the first Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation sponsored by China State Administration of Radio, Film and Television opened in Beijing. Officials from government departments and media organizations of China and 42 African countries, as well as delegates from the African Union Commission, the African Union of Broadcasting and other organizations attended the event. Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.

Zhai in his speech introduced China-Africa relations and the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation which closed last month, saying the Chinese and African media play an important role in promoting mutual understanding between people of both sides and in creating a good social atmosphere for China-Africa cooperation. President Hu Jintao announced at the opening ceremony of the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum that China will support the establishment of a China-Africa Press Exchange Center in China, which reflects the great importance the Chinese government attaches to the promotion of China-Africa media cooperation. Zhai hoped the media of both sides will seize the opportunity, enhance exchanges, strengthen capacity building in dissemination and jointly make a positive contribution to developing the traditional friendship between China and Africa and consolidating and deepening the China-Africa new strategic partnership.

Following the ceremony, Zhai met with visiting African Union (AU) Commission Chairman Jean Ping, exchanging views mainly on media and think tank cooperation between China and Africa.