On June 15, 2009, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya met in Beijing International Club Hotel with a delegation of senior African diplomats, as well as some African diplomatic envoys in China, and gave a dinner in their honor. The delegation is the 14th of its kind.

Wang spoke highly of China-Africa relations, as well as bilateral sound cooperation within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), emphasizing that China and Africa are good friends, good brothers and good partners. China is ready to work closely with African friends to ensure the success of the fourth ministerial meeting of the FOCAC to be held in the fourth quarter of this year in Egypt.

Wang said the Chinese Foreign Ministry has always attached importance to exchanges and cooperation with the Foreign Ministries of African countries and to receive the delegation of senior African diplomats is an effective channel for enhancing the cooperation. He expressed hope that the members of the delegation will, through this visit, gain a better understanding of China and China-Africa relations and make new contributions to promoting China-Africa friendly cooperative ties.

On behalf of all members, the delegation head, who is from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Zimbabwe, thanked for the invitation from the Chinese side and made positive comments on the achievements the FOCAC has made in promoting China-Africa cooperation and Africa's development. He expressed belief that with the joint efforts of both sides, Africa will surely achieve economic and social development.

The delegation is composed of 25 senior diplomats from 14 countries. Besides Beijing, they will also visit Hunan and Zhejiang.