Senior Chinese diplomat meets Senegalese presidential adviser

BEIJING, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, on Monday met with Oumar Demba Ba, chief diplomatic adviser to the president of Senegal.

Both sides exchanged views on enhancing China-Africa cooperation and preparing for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said FOCAC has become the most important platform for solidarity and mutual assistance between China and Africa and has set a good example for South-South cooperation.

He said China is ready to work with Senegal as FOCAC co-chairs to prepare well for next year's FOCAC meeting to inject new and strong impetus into China-Africa cooperation.

Wang said under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China and Senegal have established solid mutual trust and deepened mutually beneficial cooperation, and promoted the China-Senegal comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new level. China supports Senegal to play a more important role in international and African affairs.

Demba Ba, who is in Beijing to attend the Senior Officials' Meeting of FOCAC, said fruitful cooperation between Senegal and China in various fields has helped Senegal achieve rapid development in national construction.

Demba Ba appreciated China's firm support for Africa's development and for the enhancement of its international status, saying that FOCAC has become a significant platform for promoting Africa-China cooperation and democracy in international relations.

Senegal will, as always, firmly adhere to the one-China principle, support China in safeguarding its core interests, and vigorously promote Africa-China cooperation, said Demba Ba.