Xi Jinping visits Senegal, first step of an African tour

China and Senegal signed new agreements on Saturday evening to strengthen their economic ties, on the occasion of President Xi Jinping's state visit to Dakar. first at this level in almost ten years. Arrived late Saturday afternoon in Dakar, the Chinese leader was greeted by his Senegalese counterpart Macky Sall, the first leg of an African tour that will take him to Rwanda and South Africa.

Both Heads of State had talks on "Bilateral Cooperation, Sino-African Relations and International News" President Sall said at a joint briefing with his Chinese counterpart. "Every time I come to Africa, I can measure the great dynamism of this continent, promised a bright future" said the Chinese president who said "fully confident in the future of China-Africa cooperation "

The two leaders had previously signed ten agreements in areas related to justice, economic and technical cooperation, infrastructure, human capital development and civil aviation

The Chinese president was treated to a popular welcome in Dakar, where many arteries were decorated with flags of both countries. Dozens of buses used to transport supporters of President Sall for this reception were stationed near the presidential palace.

China, second commercial partner of Senegal

M. Xi must hand over on Sunday to Macky Sall the keys of a wrestling, the most popular sport in Senegal, built by Chinese companies.

China is the second largest trading partner of Senegal, behind France, with a volume two billion dollars in 2016, including infrastructure projects, according to Senegalese official figures. Senegal's exports to China amounted to more than 115 million euros in 2017, the main products exported to China being minerals (zircon and titanium) and groundnuts.

China is also the second biggest supplier of Senegal after France. Imports from China increased from CFAF 227 billion (more than 346 million euros) in 2013 to CFAF 367 billion (more than 559 million euros) in 2017. This trend is explained by increased imports of products such as reception apparatus, electricity meters and building materials (tubes, pipes and iron equipment).

The rise in imports of building materials is due to the presence of Chinese companies in Senegal to the execution of the building sites of the State. Numerous infrastructures in Senegal, including stadiums, roads and highways, a hospital, a Grand Theater, a national wrestling arena and a museum of black civilizations, were built by China.

Xi Jinping's visit , which must leave Senegal Sunday, is the second of a Chinese leader in this country after that of Hu Jintao in February 2009.

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