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President Hu meets Senegalese parliament leaders

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-02-15 17:16

DAKAR -- China is willing to make joint efforts with African countries including Senegal to create a brighter future for China-Africa ties, said visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao here Saturday.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R Front) is welcomed by his Senegalese counterpart Abdoulaye Wade (L Front) at the airport in Dakar, capital of Senegal, February 13, 2009. [Xinhua]

Hu made the pledge during separate talks with Senegalese Senate Speaker Pape Diop and President of the National Assembly Mamadou Seck.

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In recent years China-Senegal relations, guided by the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, have developed rapidly with frequent exchanges of high-level visits, enhanced political mutual trust and closer cooperation in economy and trade, Hu said.

Exchanges between parliaments of the two countries constitute an important part in bilateral ties and serve to promote the further growth of these ties, said the Chinese president.

China is willing to enhance coordination and cooperation between the two parliaments in all forms, he said.

Hu said he had a very fruitful meeting with Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade. The two leaders mapped out the direction for the future development of bilateral ties, agreed on the key fields for cooperation and signed five cooperation documents, he said.

On China-Africa ties, Hu said the Beijing Summit of China-Africa Cooperation Forum ushered in a new era for cooperation between the two sides.

He attributed the strong vitality of China-Africa cooperation to sincerity, friendliness and equality of both sides, noting that China has never imposed its views on Africa, nor set any political conditions for its aid to Africa, said Hu.

He said another factor for their successful cooperation is that both sides have adhered to the principle of reciprocity and joint development. Neither side will seek its own interest at the cost of the other, he said.

Diop, for his part, spoke highly of the development of bilateral ties since the two countries resumed diplomatic ties in 2005.

Noting China is among the most important cooperation partners of Senegal, Diop said the Senate will give its full support to decisions by the two heads of state on boosting bilateral ties.

Seck, in his talks with Hu, said China's aid to Africa's economic and social development embodies again the spirit of South-South cooperation.

The Senegalese parliament looks forward to promoting communication and exchange with the National People's Congress of China.

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.