On March 15, 2013, Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun attended a reception marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-Cote d'Ivoire diplomatic relations co-organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Embassy of Côte d'Ivoire in China. Zhai exchanged views with Ambassador of Côte d'Ivoire to China Coffie Alain N. Papatchi on bilateral ties and issues of common concern.

Zhai said he was glad to celebrate together with the Ivorian side their common festival. He said over the past 30 years, China-Cote d'Ivoire relations have maintained a healthy and stable development. He said he had visited Cote d'Ivoire twice and witnessed the rapid development of bilateral relations, as well as the results of cooperation in various fields. He hoped the two countries will take the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to push China-Cote d'Ivoire friendly and cooperative relations to a higher level.

Ambassador Coffie praised the fruitful results of bilateral cooperation in the past 30 years, expressing willingness to work with China to push bilateral relations for greater development.