by Xinhua writer Zheng Yangzi
LIBREVILLE, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- With a longstanding friendship with China, Gabon looks forward to deepening ties in trade, natural resources development, professional training and infrastructure construction, said Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, depicting the effort as a way to inject fresh vitality into bilateral cooperation.
At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Nguema is paying a state visit to China on Nov. 3-7, his first visit to China since taking office as president in May 2025.
He attended the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing as Gabon's transitional president.
Looking back on the development of bilateral relations, Nguema told Xinhua in an interview that Gabon and China have upheld the spirit of solidarity and mutual respect since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1974.
The president praised China's contribution to Gabon's infrastructure development, citing China-aided projects including the National Assembly building, the Senate building, the television broadcasting building, the China-Gabon Cooperation Hospital in Libreville and the China-Gabon Friendship Hospital in Franceville. He views these projects as vivid examples of the traditional friendship between Gabon and China.
In July, Nguema inspected a road rehabilitation project undertaken by a Chinese company in Oyem, northern Gabon. The project includes a 36-km cross-border road, a 32-km national highway connecting section and a bridge over the Woleu River, forming an important land transport corridor between Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
"Oyem is my hometown. I measured the thickness of the asphalt pavement and was very satisfied with the quality of the construction. When the road is ready, I will invite Equatorial Guinean president to join me for the inauguration," he said.
The president said the cross-border road would significantly shorten travel times, facilitate the movement of people and goods, promote trade between the two countries and bring tangible benefits to local communities.
Nguema also pointed to professional training centers built by a Chinese company in the Nkok Special Economic Zone near Libreville, another in Port-Gentil, and a third in Franceville, which have provided professional training for local young people, promoted youth employment and helped cultivate skilled workers for Gabon's industrial development.
"Through these training centers, we have trained a number of engineers, electricians, plumbers and mechanics. Many young people have already found jobs, and the centers have also provided skills training and internship opportunities for some local enterprises," he said.
On trade and economic cooperation, Nguema applauded China's decision to fully implement zero-tariff treatment for all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic ties, as this measure would benefit not only Gabon but also the entire African continent, creating new opportunities for African countries to expand exports to China and boost economic development.
China has a vast consumer market, while Africa is rich in natural resources, offering broad prospects for bilateral trade and economic cooperation, he said.
The president sees the 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE) to be held Nov. 5-10 in Shanghai as an important platform for Gabon to showcase its products and explore the Chinese market.
Gabon aims to promote its processed wood products, palm oil, coffee, cocoa and other products at the expo while establishing more trade links with China. "We not only hope to export more products to China, but also want to attract more Chinese companies to invest and set up factories here. This is an opportunity we must seize," he said.
Nguema highlighted Gabon's ongoing implementation of its National Growth and Development Plan for 2026-2030, as it aims to promote industrialization and economic restructuring.
Noting that the plan has much in common with China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), he added that the two countries could strengthen the alignment of their development strategies and jointly advance local processing of Gabon's mineral resources and its industrialization.
"Gabon has abundant mineral resources, while China has strong industrial capabilities and technological advantages. The two sides can jointly explore ways to process raw materials locally and increase the added value of products," he said. ■
