China, Senegal pledge to bolster mutual trust, cooperation

Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Senegalese President Macky Sall agreed here Friday to deepen mutual trust and practical cooperation between their countries.

Senegal hoped to enrich its partnership with China by deepening mutual trust and strengthen cooperation on infrastructure construction and livelihood improvement, Sall said during his meeting with Wang at the presidential palace.

Senegal has received strong support and help from China since the two countries resumed diplomatic relations, and bilateral ties have been raised to new heights, Sall said.

Wang, for his part, said that Senegal is a major country in Africa, and China is willing to forge its ties with Senegal into a model for West Africa-China relations within the framework of the new-type strategic partnership between China and Africa.

The two countries should steadfastly support each other's core interests and major concerns, no manner how the international and regional situations change, the foreign minister said.

China is ready to boost its practical cooperation with Senegal in various fields, and will continue to help increase Africa's capability of independent development, Wang said.

He added that China will always be the sincerest partner and most reliable friend of Senegal and other African countries, he added.

During his visit to the West African country, Wang also held talks with Senegalese Prime Minister Aminata Toure and Foreign Minister Mankeur Ndiaye.

Toure said that her country, inspired by China's achievements of development, now has a new understanding about and more confidence in Africa's rejuvenation.

The prime minister noted that Senegal-China relations enjoy a sound foundation and are of important demonstrative significance, saying her country welcomes more Chinese investment and will try to facilitate related processes.

Ndiaye said China is a brother-like friend of Senegal, treating the country as an equal politically, providing it with substantial support economically, and promoting its development and rejuvenation.

Senegal is willing to continue expanding its cooperation with China, Ndiaye said, adding that deepening and strengthening China-Senegal relations is his country's unswerving strategic choice.

Wang said that a sound foundation has been laid for mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Senegal as the two countries are interdependent politically and highly complementary economically.

The launch of a new round of comprehensive reform in China will bring about new opportunities and impetus for China-Africa cooperation, Wang said, vowing that his country will encourage strong and reputable Chinese companies to start businesses in Senegal so as to contribute further to its development.

The two sides also agreed to maintain communication and coordination in international and regional affairs, and work together to safeguard world and regional peace and stability.

Senegal is the final leg of Wang's four-nation Africa trip, which also took him to Ethiopia, Djibouti and Ghana.

It has been a tradition since 1991 for a Chinese foreign minister to visit Africa at the start of every year.