Li Qiang Meets with Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba

On the morning of April 19, 2023, at the Great Hall of the People, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council met with Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba who is in China for a state visit.

Li Qiang said that Gabon is a good friend and partner of China in Africa. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Ali Bongo Ondimba, China-Gabon relations have embarked on a fast track of development. China is ready to work with Gabon to synergize development strategies and share development experience. Noting China's efforts to promote high-quality development and high-standard opening up, Li Qiang said the two sides should jointly explore new areas and new models of cooperation, so as to promote common development and continuously elevate bilateral relations to new heights.

Li Qiang pointed out that the two sides should consolidate and expand cooperation in traditional areas of strengths, and deepen exchanges and cooperation in such areas as trade, investment, infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. The two sides should actively foster new growth drivers for cooperation, tap into the potential of green cooperation, and set a fine example of South-South cooperation in addressing climate change.

Li Qiang stressed that China supports Gabon in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs, and stands ready to strengthen coordination and mutual support with Gabon on multilateral affairs, so as to jointly uphold international fairness and justice, safeguard the interests of the vast number of developing countries, address global challenges, and contribute to the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

Bongo said that the people of Gabon and China treat each other with sincerity, trust and respect, and the two countries enjoy a high-quality and special cooperative relationship. China's development model has been an important source of inspiration for Gabon. Gabon stays committed to the one-China policy, and appreciates China's strong support for Gabon's efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and promote economic and social development. Gabon is ready to work with China to strengthen Belt and Road cooperation, and jointly implement the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, so as to continuously advance the Gabon-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. Gabon is ready to work with China to strengthen cooperation within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and international organizations, jointly uphold the principle of respecting each other's sovereignty and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, oppose politicizing human rights issues, and join hands to address climate change and other global challenges.

Qin Gang, among others, was present at the meeting.