Senegalese Prime Minister Machy Sall met with visiting Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on Thursday, and the two sides discussed ways to promote bilateral relations.

 

Li, who is on the second leg of his six-nation Africa tour, expressed China's appreciation of Senegal's one-China policy. The resumption of diplomatic ties between the two countries last year has paved the way for strengthening their cooperation in a variety of areas, and for engaging in major cooperative programs, he added.

 

Li said that China attaches importance to relations with Senegal, and suggested that the two sides should strengthen contacts at levels of government, parliament, political party and media.

 

China is willing to explore the possibility of expanding cooperation in areas such as agriculture, culture, education, health, personnel training and so on, said Li, who has already visited Cape Verde, and will travel to Mali, Liberia, Nigeria and Libya.

 

Sall said Senegal, a West African country with an area of nearly 200,000 square kilometers, would like to learn from China's successful experience in economic and social development.

 

Senegal welcomes Chinese companies' investment in agriculture, water conservation, infrastructure and other fields, said Sall, adding his country hopes to increase its export of peanuts to China.

 

Sall said Senegal is willing to maintain close cooperation with China in international affairs.

 

Li started an official visit to Senegal on Thursday, during which he also met with Senegalese Foreign Minister Cheikh Tidiane Gadio. The two ministers signed an agreement on economic and technological cooperation.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 13, 2006)