The reception for the official re-launch of the ChinAfrica magazine and the release of its special issue for the Fourth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation is held in Beijing, October 30, 2009 (SHI GANG)

With growing international communication, the media has become an important channel and bridge for people of different countries to understand and trust each other and develop sound international relations, said Wang Guoqing, Vice Minister of the State Council Information Office, in Beijing on Friday.

He made the remarks addressing the reception for the official re-launch of the ChinAfrica magazine and the release of its special issue for the Fourth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), to be held November 8-9 in Egypt.

Wang also read the congratulatory message of Chinese President Hu Jintao on the re-launch of the monthly magazine at the reception, which was held at the Kempinski Hotel, on October 30.

Coinciding with the upcoming FOCAC summit, the magazine's re-launch is one of the important initiatives taken by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs leading up to the event.

Also addressing the reception were Zhou Mingwei, President of the China International Publishing Group, Zhai Jun, Assistant Foreign Minister, and Nolana Ta-Ama, Ambassador of the Republic of Togo and Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps.

Over 200 people attended the reception, including leading officials from the relevant departments and ministries of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, ambassadors and senior diplomats of more than 40 African embassies to China, representatives of some international organizations in Beijing, Chinese scholars and experts in African studies, business executives and media representatives.