Senegal said on Tuesday its decision to resume diplomatic relations with China is historic and conforms to the fundamental interests of the Senegalese people.

The decision reflects Senegal's correct and timely judgement on the current world situation and is surely conducive to improving the country's international image, the Senegalese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Senegalese government will make all efforts to carry out mutually beneficial cooperation with China, the statement said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Senegalese State Minister of Foreign Affairs Cheikh Tidiane Gadio signed a joint communique on the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries in Beijing on Tuesday morning.

Both countries resumed diplomatic ties at the ambassadorial level on the same day, Oct. 25, 2005.

The Senegalese government recognizes that there is only one China in the world, that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole China and that Taiwan is an inseparable part of the Chinese territory.

China severed its ties with Senegal in January 1996 after Dakar recognized the island of Taiwan.

Source: Xinhua