Wang Yi Holds Talks with Senegalese Foreign Minister Aissata Tall Sall

On November 28, 2021 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Senegalese Foreign Minister Aissata Tall Sall in Dakar.

Noting that China and Senegal are good friends and good partners and that the two sides accompany each other on the path to development and prosperity, Wang Yi said, China-Senegal cooperation is accelerating on all fronts under the leadership of the two heads of state. China congratulates Senegal on the important achievements made in the fight against COVID-19 and the positive steps taken toward economic recovery, and firmly supports Senegal in pursuing an independent development path. The Chinese side appreciates the support given by the Senegalese side on issues involving China's core interests and major concerns, and is willing to deepen political mutual trust and strengthen all-round cooperation with the Senegalese side, and help the Senegalese side develop and prosper itself at a faster pace. The Chinese side will continue to provide the Senegalese side with vaccines and support the Senegalese side in building a vaccine production center in West Africa, and stands ready to cooperate with the Senegalese side in vaccine research and development, production and virus detection to help the latter defeat the virus at an early date.

Wang Yi said that China and Senegal are both developing countries and share the same or similar views on international and regional affairs. China congratulates Senegal on assuming the rotating presidency of the African Union (AU) in 2022 and supports Senegal in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs on behalf of Africa. The Chinese side is willing to step up coordination with the Senegalese side and jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

Aissata offered congratulations on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 50th anniversary of the restoration of China's lawful seat in the United Nations, and admired the brilliant achievements made by China under the leadership of the CPC. She said that Senegal-China cooperation features wide coverage and broad prospects. The Senegalese side firmly adheres to the one-China principle and firmly supports China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Senegal thanked China for its powerful and across-the-board support to the development of Senegal, and the cooperation between Senegal and China on the principle of transparency and responsibility has provided an important boost to Senegal's economic recovery and development. Senegal welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in the country.

Noting that Senegal and China take highly consistent positions in international affairs, Aissata said, the Senegalese side is willing to, with the co-chairmanship of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the rotating presidency of the AU as an opportunity, promote the cooperation between Senegal and China and between Africa and China and jointly defend the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

Wang Yi said African countries and the international community are focusing on the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the FOCAC to be held tomorrow. I believe that with the joint efforts of China and Senegal and the support of African countries, the conference will yield fruitful results, provide a clear roadmap for planning all-round China-Africa cooperation in the next step and mark a more solid step toward jointly building a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era. The Chinese side is willing to work with the African side to support each other, deepen mutual trust and jointly send a signal of strengthening solidarity and cooperation between the two sides. Aissata said that tomorrow the two heads of state will jointly attend and deliver an important speech at the opening ceremony of the conference. The Senegalese side looks forward to working with the Chinese side to hold a successful conference and jointly shape a bright future for China and Africa.

After the talks, the two sides witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents and met with the press together.