Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, holds talks with Malick Ndiaye, the president of the Senegalese National Assembly, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

BEIJING, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Zhao Leji held talks with President of the Senegalese National Assembly Malick Ndiaye in Beijing on Tuesday.

Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said China is willing to work with Senegal to implement the important consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries, as well as the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit, enrich the connotations of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Senegal, and make more contributions to the building of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

He said that Senegal has publicly reaffirmed its steadfast adherence to the one-China principle, and China highly appreciates this.

"China will continue to support Senegal in pursuing an independent, autonomous development path," he added.

Both countries should expand high-quality, mutually beneficial cooperation, and explore their cooperation potential in industrialization and agricultural modernization, trade and investment, new energy, and the digital economy, Zhao said.

He called on the two countries to deepen exchange in such areas as culture, education, media, youth, health care, sports and local sectors to strengthen the bonds of friendship between China and Senegal, and between China and Africa.

Zhao said that the NPC is willing to work with the Senegalese National Assembly to strengthen exchange and cooperation between high-level legislatures, specialized committees and bilateral friendship groups, as well as between NPC deputies and Senegalese parliamentarians, so as to create a favorable legal environment for practical cooperation between the two countries.

He called for close coordination and cooperation within multilateral mechanisms such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union to enhance the voice and representation of countries in the Global South.

Ndiaye said that Senegal adheres firmly to the one-China principle, holds the four major global initiatives put forward by China in high esteem, and is ready to continue promoting the development of the Belt and Road Initiative with China, and to strengthen cooperation in various fields.

The Senegalese National Assembly is willing to deepen exchange and cooperation with the NPC of China, and to play an active role in promoting the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, Ndiaye said. ■

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, holds talks with Malick Ndiaye, the president of the Senegalese National Assembly, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)