Visiting Senegalese Prime Minister Macky Sall said in Beijing Wednesday that he hopes to further strengthen cooperation with China in various fields, on the basis of friendship, mutual respect, partnership and mutual support.

 

Sall said Senegal and China have maintained good relations since the resumption of diplomatic ties not long ago. The two sides conduct frequent high-level exchanges and increasing cooperation between companies. The bilateral relations show active momentum of development, he said.

 

China and Senegal resumed diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level on October 25, 2005. Sall reiterated that the Senegalese government and the Senegalese Democratic Party (SDP), the governing party, will continue to adhere to the one-China policy.

 

Sall, also deputy secretary-general of the SDP, is leading a SDP delegation on a nine-day visit to China from April 23 to May 1, at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

 

He said the CPC and the SDP, as governing parties of the two countries, should strengthen mutual understanding, exchanges and cooperation, which is conducive to the development of bilateral relations.

 

Sall said his visit to China has given him a better view of the history, development and working mechanism of the CPC, adding that he hopes the two parties will expand their exchanges and cooperation.

 

During Sall's Beijing tour, he visited the Great Wall, the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall and the Beijing Urban Planning Exhibition Hall. He said he was deeply impressed by China's development and culture.

 

China is growing rapidly while preserving its culture and tradition successfully, adding that harmonious development is hard to achieve, Sall said, adding that he hopes that Senegal can learn from China in this regard.

 

He also encouraged more Chinese companies to invest in Senegal and looks forward to an expanded China-Senegal cooperation in economy and trade.

 

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of diplomatic relations between China and Africa. China-Africa friendship and cooperation witnessed great progress in the past years within the framework of China-Africa Cooperation Forum. The summit of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum will be held in Beijing this November.

 

Sall said Senegal will attend the summit, and hopes China can maintain its friendly policy of cooperation to Africa.

 

The current visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to African countries is a "vivid example" of the friendly cooperation between China and African countries, Sall said.

 

As for the reestablishment of embassies in China, Sall said China has sent an ambassador to Senegal, while Senegal has established a diplomatic mission to China, and will reestablish its embassy in the near future.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2006)