Hu arrives in Dakar for state visit

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-02-13 23:00

Video by chinadaily.com.cn

DAKAR -- Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in the Senegalese capital of Dakar on Friday on the first state visit to this western African country.

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Hu was received by his Senegalese counterpart Abdoulaye Wade at a welcoming ceremony at the airport.

In a statement issued upon arrival, Hu said both countries enjoy good friendship and the resumption of diplomatic ties helped the development of bilateral cooperation in politics, trade, culture, education and public health among others.

China and Senegal resumed diplomatic relations in October 2005, after the western African country severed ties with Taiwan.

In June 2006, President Wade visited China. Five month later, he attended the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Hu said he looked forward to exchanging views with Wade on bilateral relations and issues of common concern.

The visit is aimed at deepening mutual understanding and trust, promoting cooperation in various fields and moving bilateral relations to a new high, Hu said.

During his less than 24 hours' stay in Dakar, Hu will talk with President Wade, meet with the President of the National Assembly Macky Sall and visit China-aided programs.

Dakar was the third leg of President Hu's first overseas trip in 2009, which has been described as "a journey of friendship and cooperation."

Earlier, Hu had visited Saudi Arabia and Mali. The week-long tour will also take him to Tanzania and Mauritius.

This is Hu's second African tour since the landmark China-Africa summit in 2006 when he announced eight policy measures to promote ties with Africa, including massive tariff cuts and debt exemptions for scores of African countries, and doubling aid to Africa over a three-year period.

In talks with Malian President Amadou Toumany Toure on Thursday, Hu said China would increase aid to African countries, cancel part of their debts, and expand trade with and investment in the poorest continent.

The year 2009 will witness a 200-percent increase in aid accords with African countries in value terms as compared to 2006, according to the Chinese Commerce Ministry.

"In 2009, the Chinese leaders will continue to take the development of relations with Africa as a top priority of Chinese diplomacy," Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi told Xinhua last month.