China eyes closer ties, cooperation with Senegal

China is willing to further its friendly and cooperative relations with Senegal, said a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Saturday, according to information reaching Abidjan from Dakar.

Ai Ping, deputy head of the International Department of the CPC's Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with Senegalese President Macky Sall, who is also the leader of the Alliance for the Republic (APR) party.

Ai spoke highly of the friendly and cooperative relations between China and Senegal, and thanked the Senegalese government for its support for China on issues concerning China's core interests.

He said that the CPC is willing to establish regular exchange and cooperation mechanism with the APR and promote all-around development of bilateral ties.

For his part, Sall said Senegal is looking forward to strengthening the friendly cooperation with China in various fields including infrastructure, economy, trade and culture so as to bring the bilateral relations to a new level.

Sall also expressed his hope that the APR and the CPC could deepen political exchanges and cooperation so as to promote the friendly ties and cooperation between the two countries.

The Chinese delegation arrived in Dakar on Thursday at the invitation of the APR.