Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing held talks and signed an economic cooperation agreement on Thursday with his Senegalese counterpart Cheikh Tidiane Gadio.

Li Zhaoxing expressed appreciation for Senegal's One China policy, adding that China would expand political, economic and cultural ties between the two countries.

The Senegalese side reitereated it recognized that "China is the sole government legally representing all of China and that Taiwan is an integral part of Chinese territory."

The Chinese foreign minister started his visit to Senegal on Thursday. Senegal is the latest west African country to have recently cut ties with Taiwan. Beijing had severed diplomatic relations when Dakar recognized Taiwan ten years ago.

The two ministers also spoke about the resumption of cooperation in the medical field, with a Chinese medical team expected to visit Senegal soon.

On the same day, China issued an African Policy Paper, in which, the Chinese government put forward its proposals for cooperation with Africa in various fields in the coming years.

Li Zhaoxing is the first high-level Chinese government official to visit Senegal since the two countries resumed diplomatic relations in October. 

Before his departure for neighboring Mali on Friday, the Chinese minister will officially open China's new embassy in Dakar.