2023-04-21 02:33:00
(BEIJING, April 21, 2023 PRNewswire=연합뉴스) Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic establishment between China and Gabon. In commemoration of this, the two heads of state decided to upgrade the bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba paid a state visit to China for four days, following a brisk diplomatic campaign by leaders from Asia, Europe and Latin America in Beijing. Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed President Ondimba’s visit, saying it showed the importance and high level of bilateral relations.
The friendship between China and Gabon has remained strong.
According to China’s Foreign Ministry, President Ondimba is the first African head of state Xi has met since officially entering his third term last month.
The friendly relationship between China and Gabon has been strong since the two countries established diplomatic relations 49 years ago. In December 2016, the bilateral relationship was upgraded to a comprehensive cooperative partnership.
The two countries firmly supported each other on issues related to core interests and cooperated closely on international issues.
President Ondimba has stated that Gabon supports the ‘One China’ principle on a number of issues.
China has been Gabon’s largest trading partner for the ninth consecutive year. In 2022, bilateral trade reached $4.55 billion, up 50.8% from the previous year.
At the meeting, the two heads of state pledged to deepen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. They also agreed to promote cooperation not only in the digital economy, infrastructure, agriculture and tourism, but also in the fields of culture and people-to-people exchanges. After the talks, bilateral cooperation documents were signed in the presence of the two leaders in investment, agriculture, urban construction and other fields.
China-Africa Cooperation in a New Era
China is the world’s largest developing country, and Africa is the continent with the largest number of developing countries. Sharing past experiences and sharing similar goals and objectives, China and Africa have become closer and closer.
At the FOCAC Beijing Summit held in September 2018, the two sides agreed to share the future, build a much stronger China-Africa community of shared future, and lead bilateral relations and cooperation into a new era.
China has been Africa’s largest trading partner for the 13th consecutive year through 2021. According to the latest data from China’s Ministry of Commerce, trade volume between China and Africa in 2021 reached a record high of $254.29 billion, up 35.3% year-on-year.
In November 2021, the Chinese government issued a white paper documenting the success of China-Africa comprehensive cooperation and providing perspectives on future cooperation between the two sides. China and Africa have come together in success and adversity, and have set an example for building an international community with a shared future.
The principles of China’s African policy proposed by President Xi celebrated their 10th anniversary this year. These principles include sincerity, effectiveness, goodwill and good will. “At a time when the world is entangled in challenges and crises, China and Africa must strengthen solidarity and cooperation more than ever,” Xi said at a meeting with President Ondimba on Wednesday.
In addition, Xi urged “both sides to adhere to the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation”. We want to provide new opportunities for you.” “This is to make China-Africa cooperation a model of South-South cooperation and international cooperation with Africa,” he explained.
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