In a colorful and celebratory gathering on February 9, the Chinese Embassy in Senegal hosted a Spring Festival reception in the Senegalese capital, bringing together over 200 dignitaries, government officials, local leaders and members of the Chinese community to mark the Lunar New Year and underscore the deep and growing partnership between Senegal and China.
The evening, which showcased performances ranging from Chinese martial arts to cultural songs and dances featuring students from the Confucius Institute at Cheikh Anta Diop University, also served as a platform for Senegalese leaders to express warm greetings and reflect on bilateral achievements.
Senegal’s Secretary of State for Senegalese Abroad, Amadou Cherif Diouf, extended heartfelt Spring Festival greetings to the Chinese people and relayed best wishes from the people of Senegal. He highlighted the long-standing traditional friendship and described the relationship as yielding “fruitful results,” noting the importance of joint mechanisms like the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and high-quality Belt and Road cooperation as vehicles that have catalysed deeper engagement across political, economic and cultural spheres.
Diouf also reaffirmed Senegal’s commitment to advancing its Vision Senegal 2050 national development strategy, drawing inspiration from China’s modernisation experience and reiterating Dakar’s intent to further strengthen ties with Beijing.
Representing the Chinese diplomatic mission, Li Fei, Charge d’Affaires at the Chinese Embassy in Senegal, echoed these sentiments, emphasising that the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Senegal continues to deepen, marked by growing political trust and vibrant people-to-people exchanges. She pointed to 2026 as a pivotal year – the start of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, the 70th anniversary of China-Africa diplomatic relations, and the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges – offering fresh momentum for cultural and youth cooperation, especially as Dakar prepares to host the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
The festive reception comes against the backdrop of expanding economic and development cooperation between the two countries. China and Senegal established diplomatic relations in 1971, and after a brief interruption in the 1990s, diplomatic ties were restored in 2005. In 2016, the relationship was elevated to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, laying the groundwork for robust collaboration across sectors.
Trade between the nations has surged in recent years, with bilateral trade volume reaching approximately $5.57 billion in 2023, a significant increase from previous years. China is also a major partner in Senegalese infrastructure development, contributing to iconic projects such as the Museum of Black Civilizations and the National Wrestling Arena.
Chinese companies are actively involved in key sectors of the Senegalese economy, including industrial parks, new energy, agriculture and digital infrastructure, with investments creating thousands of local jobs and promoting technology transfer. At the Forum on Chinese Enterprises’ Investment in Senegal in October 2025, officials praised Chinese contributions to industrial transformation and economic revitalisation.
High-level diplomatic engagements continue to reinforce this partnership. In 2024, Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye co-chaired the Beijing FOCAC Summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, underscoring shared commitments to expand cooperation for mutual benefit. Discussions between leaders have highlighted joint support for multilateralism, economic connectivity under the Belt and Road Initiative, and coordinated efforts on issues central to Global South interests.
The recent reception, therefore, not only celebrated cultural exchange but also reaffirmed Senegal and China’s strategic partnership, built on shared development goals, mutual respect for sovereignty, expanding economic collaboration and an increasingly dynamic cultural rapport.
As Senegal prepares for major events like the 2026 Youth Olympic Games and implements long-term development strategies, both countries appear poised to harness cultural diplomacy initiatives like the Spring Festival reception to bolster cooperation that extends into infrastructure, education, trade and international affairs.
