Senegal's Minister of Foreign Affairs Cheikh Tidiane Gadio met Chinese officials who arrived in Dakar yesterday to reopen an embassy there.

Diplomatic ties were resumed after Gadio signed a joint communiqué in Beijing on October 25 stating that there is only one China in the world and that the government of the People's Republic of China is its sole legitimate representative.

Gadio said the historic decision of President Abdoulaye Wade to resume relations had been absolutely right and not subject to any conditions.

He said both countries would be involved in mutually beneficial cooperation and will seek to play an important role within the framework of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum.

China severed diplomatic relations with Senegal in January 1996 when Dakar reinstated ties with Taiwan's authorities.

Gadio said Senegal will send a delegation to Beijing in December to reopen its embassy in China.

(Xinhua News Agency November 29, 2005)