Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, who is also director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, meets with President of Senegal Macky Sall in Dakar, Senegal, Dec. 19, 2019. (Xinhua/Xing Jianqiao)

Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has met with President of Senegal Macky Sall.

Yang, also director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, said Senegal was the first West African country that Chinese President Xi Jinping visited, and the heads of state had held multiple meetings and reached important and broad consensus, which have led China-Senegal ties onto a path of rapid development.

Yang said bilateral cooperation in various areas was both pragmatic and efficient and had led to the accomplishment of many important projects, including the construction of the Thies-Touba highway and wells in rural areas, which had brought about both social and economic benefits.

He said China supports Senegal's efforts in implementing the national revitalization plan and its hosting of the 2022 Summer Youth Olympics, stands ready to further explore the potential of bilateral cooperation in infrastructure development and industrial park construction, and encourages companies of both countries to discuss diversified ways of cooperation.

Yang further called for the full implementation of the consensus reached by the heads of state, enhancing strategic communication and mutual support, consolidating the good development momentum of bilateral relations, and elevate the political mutual trust and friendly cooperation to a higher level.

Sall said Senegal and China cherish high level of mutual trust and always lend firm support to each other, which demonstrate the high level of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries. Senegal firmly supports and has been actively participating in the Belt and Road construction, he said.

Sall said China's reform and development had made achievements which are globally recognized, setting an example to African countries which are exploring paths suiting their respective national realities.

Sall expressed thanks to China for helping the country develop its economy and society and support its efforts to host the 2022 Summer Youth Olympic Games, stressing that the bilateral cooperation in various fields will be further boosted.

The two sides exchanged opinions on deepening China-Africa cooperation, expressing the willingness to use the opportunities of jointly building the Belt and Road and the two nations being co-chairs of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to jointly boost implementation of the results of the Beijing Summit of the FOCAC and to promote China-Africa cooperation for more achievements so as to benefit people in both China and Africa.

Yang also met with Senegal's Foreign Minister Amadou Ba on Thursday.