Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko in Beijing on Friday, reinforcing the deepening strategic partnership between China and Senegal. The meeting, held during Sonko’s official visit to China ahead of his participation in the 2025 Summer Davos Forum, marked another milestone in the growing ties between the two nations.
President Xi reflected on the fruitful engagements held during the 2024 Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, noting that the summit had ushered China–Africa relations into a new phase. He emphasized that China regards Senegal as a trustworthy partner and key ally in West Africa, committed to expanding cooperation and delivering concrete benefits to both peoples.
Prime Minister Sonko conveyed warm greetings from Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and commended China as a reliable and strategic partner. He lauded the steady and fruitful progress of bilateral cooperation in recent years, especially in areas of infrastructure, health, and education. He expressed confidence in further elevating these ties through expanded partnerships in technology, green energy, and digital transformation.
During the meeting, both leaders affirmed their commitment to supporting each other’s independent development paths. They pledged to enhance political trust, deepen exchanges between their ruling parties, and encourage mutual learning in governance and development models. Xi highlighted the importance of implementing the “10 China–Africa Partnership Initiatives,” focusing on modernization, infrastructure, industrial capacity, and sustainable growth.
President Xi also announced that 2026 would be designated as the “China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges,” with a series of cultural, educational, tourism, and youth-focused programs planned to foster mutual understanding and long-term friendship between the peoples of both nations. This initiative, he stated, would help consolidate the social foundations of the China–Senegal friendship.
On global affairs, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and a fairer international order. They expressed strong support for the central role of the United Nations and emphasized the need for more inclusive global governance. Both sides also vowed to strengthen solidarity among developing countries and jointly advocate for peace, justice, and shared prosperity.
Prime Minister Sonko reiterated Senegal’s unwavering commitment to the “One China” policy and expressed readiness to intensify cooperation with China under frameworks such as the Belt and Road Initiative. He called for expanded collaboration in trade, investment, and industrial development, noting that such partnerships are vital for Senegal’s economic transformation. He also expressed strong alignment with China on global development and South–South cooperation.
This meeting reflects China’s deepening engagement with Africa and its vision for a shared future based on mutual respect and win-win cooperation. With Senegal playing a key role in West Africa, the outcomes of this visit are expected to strengthen China–Africa collaboration and accelerate progress on development priorities for both countries.
