To strengthen China-Africa relations, press and media exchanges between the two sides must be promoted, said a Chinese press official on Friday.

Cai Wu, director of the Information Office of the State Council, made the remark at the closing ceremony of a seminar for African press officials held by the Office.

Cai said the seminar, part of the framework of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, is a good opportunity for African friends to learn about China's reform and development and its policies.

This is the third seminar hosted by the Office for African press officials. The first two were held respectively in 2004 and 2005.

Ethiopian Minister of Information Berhan Hailu said at the closing ceremony that the seminar had been fruitful and the visits and seminar had given them a glimpse of the real China and allowed them to correct some false impressions.

He appreciated China's economic efforts and its deep interest in Africa, saying he would encourage his government to develop a more positive attitude towards China and strengthen cooperation which will be beneficial to both sides.

He also suggested ways of strengthening press exchanges between the two sides, such as exchanging reports and increasing training programs.

Seventeen press officials from 16 African countries attended the two-week seminar. During the seminar, which began on Aug. 13, they visited booming Shenzhen City in south China, scenic Guizhou Province in southwest China, and China's capital city of Beijing.

Source: Xinhua