Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Gabonese Republic Ali Bongo Ondimba, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)
BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with President of the Gabonese Republic Ali Bongo Ondimba, who is on a state visit to China, here on Wednesday.
Calling President Bongo "an old friend" of the Chinese people, Xi said President Bongo is the first African head of state he hosts after being reelected as the Chinese president, which fully demonstrates the importance and high level of the China-Gabon relations.
In recent years, under the leadership of President Bongo, Gabon has been exploring a development path tailored to its national conditions and pursuing national stability and economic diversification. Significant achievements have been made in national development, Xi said.
Xi commended that Gabon has also been promoting the regional integration process and mediating hotspot issues in Africa.
Gabon has held a successful One Forest Summit and taken over as the President of the Economic Community of Central African States not long ago, Xi said, noting that Gabon's influence in the region and beyond has grown markedly.
As a sincere friend of Gabon, China wishes the country still greater progress in all its endeavors and early realization of its strategic goal toward an Emerging Gabon, said the Chinese president.
President Xi noted the 50th anniversary of China-Gabon diplomatic relations to be celebrated next year. Over the last half-century, thanks to the commitment and guidance of generations of leaders on both sides, the China-Gabon friendship has stayed rock-firm as ever, Xi said.
In a world undergoing profound changes, China and Gabon have supported each other in advancing their shared interests and upholding international fairness and justice. The strong and sustained growth of the bilateral ties serves the shared long-term interests of both countries and has an exemplary role to play in building a community with a shared future for mankind, said Xi.
President Xi proposed the elevation of the comprehensive cooperative partnership between the two countries to a "comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership." ■
Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Gabonese Republic Ali Bongo Ondimba at the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, April 19, 2023. Xi held talks with Ali Bongo Ondimba, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)
Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Gabonese Republic Ali Bongo Ondimba at the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, April 19, 2023. Xi held talks with Ali Bongo Ondimba, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)
Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Gabonese Republic Ali Bongo Ondimba, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)
