For half a century, there has been vigorous development of China-Africa cultural exchanges, which has played a unique role in promoting cooperation and friendship between China and Africa.

China has entered into 62 inter-governmental agreements on cultural exchanges and cooperation with 45 African countries, under which the two sides have organized over 200 cultural exchange delegations and hosted hundreds of cultural or art exchange events. In addition, extensive cooperation has been conducted in sports, TV and movie, news media and publishing and in the training and exchange of art professionals.

China will be hosting an arts event, "Meet in Beijing & Africa Theme Year", in 2004, when artists from different regions across Africa will stream into China and present their most exquisite forms of African arts to the enthusiastic Chinese audience.