Efficient and pragmatic bilateral cooperation has led to the accomplishment of many important projects, including the construction of the Thies-Touba highway and wells in rural areas, which has brought about both social and economic benefits, senior Chinese official Yang Jiechi said on Friday during his visit in Senegal.

Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and 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, December 19, 2019. (Photo: Xinhua)

Yang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks at a meeting with Senegal President Macky Sall.

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, said Yang, also director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee.

He said China supports Senegal's efforts in implementing the national revitalization plan and its hosting of the 2022 Summer Youth Olympics, and stands ready to further explore the potential of bilateral cooperation in infrastructure development and industrial park construction, and encouraged 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 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 has made achievements which are globally recognized, setting an example to African countries which are exploring paths suited to 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 meets the president of the Republic of the Congo

Yang, who visited the Republic of the Congo earlier, said the two countries are good friends, good partners and good brothers when meeting with President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso on Thursday.

In recent years, the two countries' heads of state have met many times to steer the development of bilateral ties, he said.

Political mutual trust between the two countries continues to deepen, and their practical cooperation has yielded remarkable results, said the Chinese official, adding that financial and aviation cooperation has become a new growth point, and progress has been made in key projects such as the construction of the Pointe Noire special economic zone.

China has always supported the Republic of the Congo in developing its economy, improving people's livelihood, and adhering to a development path that suits its national realities, Yang said.

He urged the two sides to keep the momentum of high-level exchanges, and to continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and concerns.

Yang Jiechi (L), a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, meets with President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso in Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of the Congo, December 19, 2019. (Photo: Xinhua)

Under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the two sides should expand their cooperation in various fields, strengthen communication and coordination, safeguard the common interests of the two countries and those of developing countries as a whole, so as to demonstrate the high level of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, Yang said.

For his part, Sassou said the Congolese side treasures its friendship with China. The Congolese side highly appreciated that Chinese President Xi Jinping chose the country as one of the destinations of his first foreign trip in 2013 after taking office, Sassou said.

The Congolese people appreciate valuable long-term support from China, particularly recent flood relief assistance and supplies, he said.

Sassou added that the Congolese side will continue its active participation in the BRI, and is looking forward to further strengthening mutual cooperation in key areas, including agriculture, infrastructure and industrial facilities.

Yang also met with Foreign Minister of the Republic of the Congo Jean-Claude Gakosso on the same day. The Chinese official's six-day Africa tour will end Sunday.