BEIJING - Liu Yunshan, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), met Thursday with a delegation of African publicity officials and media executives.

Liu, head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, hailed Sino-African friendship and cooperation, saying China will work with African states to further the new-type strategic partnership.

The African guests, who are here for a media research workshop, voiced their desire to better understand the situation and experience of China's economic and social development.

The delegation groups 42 members from 17 French-speaking African countries.