China on Friday pledged to expand cooperation with African country Senegal as China's top legislator and top advisor both met with visiting Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade.

"The resumption of China-Senegal diplomatic ties last October, welcomed and supported by the two peoples, will prove to be a good decision," said Wu Bangguo, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, China's top legislator.

China and Senegal resumed diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level on Oct. 25 last year. China severed ties with Senegal in 1996 after Dakar officially "recognized" the island of Taiwan.

China and Senegal shared goals and pursuits on development, and the two countries have great potential to cooperate, Wu said.

Wu said China wants to work with Senegal to expand the friendly and mutually-beneficial cooperation.

He called for parliamentary exchanges between China and Senegal.

Wade told Wu that the resumption of diplomatic relations is of great historical importance and would benefit the two peoples.

He hoped the Senegalese parliament will increase exchanges with China's legislature, and expand bilateral cooperation in order to intensify and deepen friendly cooperative relations.

Earlier, Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, also met with Wade.

Jia said China-Senegal relations have progressed rapidly with smooth cooperation since the two countries resumed diplomatic ties.

"China appreciates Senegal's adherence to the one-China policy, " Jia said.

Wade said Senegal would develop all-round cooperative relations with China, in accordance with the fundamental interests of the two peoples and for the development of China-Africa ties.

Hailing China's assistance to Africa, Wade said Senegal would work with China to strengthen China-Africa cooperation.

Source: Xinhua