Senegalese president says to pursue common development with China

Senegalese President Macky Sall on Monday said his country will work with China for common development in the spirit of equality, friendship, solidarity and coordination.

Sall told visiting Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao that the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries is fully compatible with Senegal's development needs and that Senegal will always take China as a special and important partner.

He said Senegal adheres to the one-China policy, supports China's stance on the South China Sea, and attaches great importance to the Belt and Road Initiative.

Li, for his part, said Senegal is a good friend and partner of China and that his visit to Dakar is aimed to advance the implementation of the important consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Sall at the G20 summit in Hangzhou last September, to bring about more fruits on the ground in Senegal from the outcomes of the Johannesburg summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, for the greater benefit of peoples of both countries.

At the Hangzhou summit, Xi and Sall agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

The Chinese vice president said China regards and develops its ties with Senegal from a strategic perspective, and stands ready to strive for closer exchanges at various levels, for stronger and mutually beneficial win-win cooperation, and for sustained coordination in peace, security and international affairs, upholding the principles of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith, and a right approach to justice and interests in developing relations with Africa, as put forward by President Xi.

Sall asked Li to convey his invitation for President Xi to visit Senegal.

On Monday, the Chinese vice president also met with Senegalese Prime Minister Mohammed Dionne and visited the Confucius Institute of Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar. Endit