Hu Jintao Holds Talks with President of Senegal Wade, June 23, 2006

On the afternoon of June 22, 2006, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with President of Senegal Abdoulaye Wade in the Great Hall of the People. Both sides exchanged in-depth opinions on bilateral relations and issues of common interest and reached extensive common consensus. The two heads of state agreed to constantly consolidate and strengthen the foundation of China-Senegal friendship and promote the long-term stable progress of China-Senegal friendly and cooperative relations.

Hu said that the resumption of diplomatic ties between China and Senegal last October opened a new page in bilateral relations and is widely welcomed and positively commented by the people of the two countries and the international community at large. At present the bilateral relations are resumed and making rapid progress. The bilateral exchanges at various levels move ahead step by step, cooperation in all fields constantly expands and collaboration in international and regional affairs gets strengthened. Facts show that the friendship between China and Senegal complies with the common aspiration and basic interest of the two peoples as well as the trends of peace, cooperation and development of the times.

Wade said that the Senegalese and Chinese people enjoy traditional friendship. The normalization of diplomatic ties between Senegal and China is the common expectation of the two peoples. He is glad that the two countries resume diplomatic ties during his term of presidency. The Senegalese government attaches importance to the relations with China and expects to develop the long-term stable friendly relations with China. Wade reiterated that the Senegalese government firmly pursues the one-China policy.

Hu noted that China is willing to work with Senegal to push ahead the bilateral friendship in the following four aspects so as to benefit the two countries and their people. First, sincerely treating each other and deepening political mutual trust. China is willing to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges with Senegal, expand friendly contacts between governmental agencies, legislatives and political parties of the two countries, reinforce dialogues and consultations in various forms and extend mutual understanding and support on major principled issues of common concern. Second, adhering to mutual benefit and win-win cooperation and seeking common development. China and Senegal share strong economic complementarities and great cooperation potential. China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Senegal in such areas as agriculture, resources development and infrastructure construction and jointly implement related cooperation projects. China encourages competitive Chinese businesses to conduct mutually beneficial cooperation with Senegalese businesses and hopes Senegal provides facilitation for Chinese businesses to invest and operate in Senegal. Third, adhering to comprehensive friendship and expanding educational and cultural exchanges. China and Senegal have unique cultural traditions and can learn from each other. To help Senegal develop human resources and enhance capacity building, China is willing to offer facilitation to Senegalese people to come to China attending various technical trainings and research initiatives. China will resume dispatching medical teams to Senegal. Fourth, adhering to multilateral cooperation and protecting common interest. China is willing to strengthen consultations, coordination and cooperation with Senegal in the multilateral fields including the United Nations, World Trade Organization and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, jointly push forward the new type of strategic partnership between China and Africa and promote global and regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.

Wade expressed agreement on Hu's suggestions, saying that Senegal is concentrating on economic development and hopes China takes an active part in the process. Senegal is ready to cooperate with China in the areas of economy, trade, agriculture, science and technology, transport, infrastructure construction and human resources development and to strengthen consultations and cooperation in both international and regional affairs.

He made positive comments on China's African policies and indicated the willingness to strengthen cooperation with China within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and jointly push forward China-Africa relations.

Following the talks, the two heads of state jointly attended the signing ceremony of China- Senegal economic and technological cooperation agreement and other cooperation documents.

Prior to the talks, President Hu held a welcome ceremony for President Wade in the north hall of the Great Hall of the People. President Hu's wife Madame Liu Yongqing, Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress He Luli, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, Vice Chairperson of the National People's Political Consultative Conference Li Meng, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang Wan Exiang and Chinese Ambassador to Senegal Lu Shaye were also present at the ceremony.

Original source: http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjdt/2649/t259893.htm