Xi Jinping's special envoy and Director of the General Administration of Sport of China, Gao Zhidan, participated in the opening ceremony of the fourth Youth Olympic Games, which took place in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, on Saturday at the invitation of the Senegalese government.
On Saturday morning, Senegalese President Bassir Diomaye Faye met with Gao in Dakar. Gao conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from Xi, emphasizing that China attaches great importance to the development of relations with Senegal and Africa.
Gao stated that China is ready to continuously deepen the content of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Senegal, and to utilize the unique role of the Olympic movement in promoting peace, unity, and inclusivity. He added that China is prepared to make greater contributions to the joint building of a global community of China and Africa with a shared future in the new era.
In turn, Faye asked Gao to convey his sincere greetings to Xi and thanked the Chinese President for sending a special envoy to the Games. Speaking about the relationship between Senegal and China, Faye noted that China is one of Senegal's most important partners in cooperation. He expressed gratitude to President Xi and the Chinese government for the long-standing and solid support for Senegal's economic and social development, as well as for hosting the Games.