Chinese president arrives in Dakar for state visit

Hu said he looked forward to exchanging views with Wade on bilateral relations and issues of common concern.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R Front) attends a welcome  ceremony held by his Senegalese counterpart Abdoulaye Wade  (L Front) at the airport in Dakar, capital of Senegal,  Feb. 13, 2009. Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in the  Senegalese capital of Dakar on Friday for a state visit to  promote friendly and cooperative relations between the two  countries. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

The visit is aimed at deepening mutual understanding and trust, promoting cooperation in various fields and moving bilateral relations to a new high, Hu said.

During his less than 24 hours' stay in Dakar, Hu will talk with President Wade, meet with the President of the National Assembly Macky Sall and visit China-aided programs.

Dakar was the third leg of President Hu's first overseas trip in 2009, which has been described as "a journey of friendship and cooperation."

Earlier, Hu had visited Saudi Arabia and Mali. The week-long tour will also take him to Tanzania and Mauritius.

This is Hu's second African tour since the landmark China-Africa summit in 2006 when he announced eight policy measures to promote ties with Africa, including massive tariff cuts and debt exemptions for scores of African countries, and doubling aid to Africa over a three-year period.

In talks with Malian President Amadou Toumany Toure on Thursday, Hu said China would increase aid to African countries, cancel part of their debts, and expand trade with and investment in the poorest continent.

The year 2009 will witness a 200-percent increase in aid accords with African countries in value terms as compared to 2006,according to the Chinese Commerce Ministry.

"In 2009, the Chinese leaders will continue to take the development of relations with Africa as a top priority of Chinese diplomacy," Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi told Xinhua last month.

Editor:Liu Anqi