As the world's largest developing country, consolidating and developing cooperation with other developing countries is a cornerstone of China's foreign policy. China strives to strengthen its cooperation, promote South-South cooperation and establish just and rational new world order. At the beginning of 2004, Chinese President Hu Jintao paid state visits to Egypt, Gabon, and Algeria. The Sino-Arab Cooperation Forum set up during his visits has solidified and expanded the Sino-Arab relationship of all-round mutually beneficial cooperation. In November 2004, President Hu Jintao visited Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Cuba, laying a solid foundation for the long-term, stable development of all-round friendly cooperation between these Latin American countries and China. Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing paid formal visits to Sudan, Cameroon, Djibouti, and Uganda in early 2004.

Frequent visits to China were made by heads of state and government leaders during the course of the year, representing Suriname, Papua New Guinea, Yemen, Mozambique, Madagascar, Burundi, Syria, Argentina, Fiji, Kuwait, Mali, Namibia, Jordan, Bahamas, Central African Republic, Gabon, Vanuatu, Ethiopia, Venezuela, and Mauritius.