National

Regional

Taiwan, HK, Macao

Special Coverage

Focus

Society

Profiles

Visit cements relations with Senegal

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-02-16 07:33

Senegalese children wave Chinese flags and carry photos of President Hu Jintao and Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, on Saturday. AFP

DAKAR: President Hu Jintao said China's strong ties with Senegal faced an even brighter future after holding positive talks to promote more cooperation between the two nations.

Hu met with his Senegalese counterpart Abdoulaye Wade in Dakar on Friday to discuss plans to boost bilateral relations, which, he said, had made progress in various areas following the resumption of diplomatic ties in 2005.

He said the China-Senegal friendship was in the fundamental interests of both nations.

To cement their ties and seek more tangible benefits, he proposed both keep up an exchange of high-level visits and deepen political trust, as well as increase communication between governments, legislatures, ruling parties and local authorities.

On the economic front, Hu suggested establishing a bilateral trade steering committee, adding that help would be given to Senegalese corporations to expand exports east, while Chinese businesses and the China-Africa Development Fund will be encouraged to cooperate with firms in the West African nation.

Hu said China values the positive role Senegal has played in African and international issues and would like to step up its coordination in the United Nations and the World Trade Organization to safeguard the legitimate rights of developing countries.

He also echoed his comments last week that China will keep its promise made at the Beijing Summit of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum in Nov 2006 by not cutting aid to Africa during the global financial crisis.

China will urge the international community to pay closer attention to the difficulties the crisis has brought to the continent and boost its representation in reforms of the international financial system, Hu said.

Senegal president Wade said he was satisfied with the bilateral cooperation as China has honored its commitments and China-aided programs had gone smoothly.

He appreciated the generous support in infrastructure, agriculture, culture, education and public health.

After the talks, the two presidents witnessed the signing of a number of cooperation deals.

According to the Senegalese administration, the two sides signed a deal to set up a joint body to aid economic, commercial and technological cooperation.

Under another pact, China extended loans for new buses, while a third was a contract for China to buy peanut oil from Senegal.

Hu's five-nation "journey of friendship and cooperation" started with Saudi Arabia and followed by Mali, Senegal and Tanzania.

The week-long tour will also take him to Mauritius.

Xinhua-Agencies

Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade welcomes President Hu Jintao on Friday. Ju Peng

(China Daily 02/16/2009 page3)