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Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with his Senegalese counterpart Macky Sall in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 2, 2016. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)
HANGZHOU, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- China will work with Senegal to elevate bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, President Xi Jinping said when meeting with his Senegalese counterpart Macky Sall on Friday.
Sall is in the eastern city of Hangzhou to attend the 11th summit of the Group of 20 major economies, to be held on Sept. 4-5. He is one of the leaders of some guest countries and international organizations to join the leaders of the G20 members.
Sall said he was very pleased to attend the summit at Xi's invitation, which symbolizes China's great importance attached to Africa.
Xi said China is willing to work with Senegal to implement the outcomes of the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and strengthen bilateral friendly cooperation of mutual benefit.
The Chinese president stressed that the two sides shall enhance political exchanges to promote mutual trust and expand economic and trade collaboration by bridging China's development plans with those of Senegal to help the latter accelerate industrialization and boost agricultural modernization.
Xi also hoped the two countries would strengthen cooperation in the field of security, including peacekeeping, keep close communication and coordination on global affairs, and work together to drive the world's political and economic order to be more just and equitable.
Sall expressed appreciation for China's long-term assistance to Senegal and Africa.
He spoke highly of the cooperation plans adopted at the Johannesburg Summit in early December last year and China's pragmatic measures to implement them.
Senegal is willing to work closely with China to realize independent development in Africa, he said.