Senegalese president kicks off visit to China

DAKAR - Senegalese President Macky Sall left Dakar on Tuesday for Beijing on a four-day visit to China.

Before the departure of the presidential delegation, Senegalese Foreign Minister Mankeur Ndiaye had arrived in Beijing with officials including heads of public institutions, according to the state news agency of the West African country.

President Sall told Chinese media on Saturday that the visit will "certainly consolidate the already excellent relations between China and Senegal".

"China has become one of the biggest partners of the African continent. This is a new form of cooperation that we positively appreciate because it allows African countries, especially Senegal, to equally diversify its cooperation partners," he said.

The president reaffirmed his determination to consolidate "traditional ties with the country's historical partners".

Sall expressed hope that China will provide more support in loan to boost development in Senegal.