China, Senegal hail role of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation

Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Monday met with Oumar Demba Ba, diplomatic adviser to the president of Senegal, who is in Beijing to attend the Senior Officials Meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, stressed that the FOCAC has become the most important platform for China and Africa to unite and help each other, enhance political mutual trust, inherit traditional friendship and promote their respective development and revitalization.

Calling the FOCAC a model for South-South cooperation, Wang stressed China is ready to work with the FOCAC’s co-chair, Senegal, to prepare for the new session of the forum next year, so as to inject new strong impetus into China-Africa cooperation.

China appreciates Senegal’s support for China’s legitimate claims on issues related to China’s core interests and major concerns, and China also firmly supports Senegal in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and national dignity, taking the path of development in line with its own national conditions and playing a more important role in international and African affairs, he added.

Demba Ba noted that the FOCAC has become an important platform for promoting Africa-China cooperation and democratizing international relations.

Senegal will, as always, firmly adhere to the one-China principle, support China in safeguarding its core interests and support and make every effort to promote Africa-China cooperation, he added.