The Opening Ceremony of the Second Workshop for African Journalists was held at Jianguo Hotel on April 11, 2005.

Mrs. Xu Jinghu, Secretary-general of the Chinese Follow-up Committee of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and Director-general of the African Department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry delivered her welcome remarks on the ceremony, which is presided over by her deputy, Mr. Li Qiangmin.

Mrs. Xu congratulated the opening of the workshop and welcomed the African journalists coming from afar on behalf of the FOCAC Secretariat. She reviewed the cooperation between China and Africa in the field of human resources development and reiterated the commitment of the Chinese government that China will train 10 thousands personnel for Africa within a period of 3 years. Xu sang high praise for the friendship and cooperation between China and Africa and she hoped the participants to personally experience the development of China and its good will to Africa.

Mr. Saouti Haidara, Director of Publication of the Quotidien L'Independant of Mali, responded on the ceremony on behalf of the participants of the workshop.

After the opening ceremony, Xu made her presentation to the participants on China-Africa relations and China's policy towards Africa.

The workshop, sponsored by the Secretariat of the Chinese Follow-up Committee of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, will be held from 11 to 18 April 2005.