Gabonese President Ali Bongo starts a two-day official visit to China on Wednesday. He has an appointment this Wednesday with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. At the heart of this visit, the strengthening of cooperation between China and Gabon, established on April 20, 1974. 49 years ago, China became Gabon’s leading economic partner.
With our correspondent in Libreville, Yves-Laurent Goma
Economy and politics will be on the agenda of Ali Bongo’s visit to China. In a free speech published in the national daily The unionChinese Ambassador to Gabon Li Jinjin recalled that in 2022, trade between Gabon and China increased by 51% or 4.55 billion dollars.
The trade balance is largely favorable to Gabon whose exports to China amounted to 3.97 billion dollars. Libreville exports oil, manganese and wood to China. Beijing, for its part, exports manufactured products to the Gabonese market.
During his stay in China, Ali Bongo and Xi Jinping are expected to sign several agreements, including one relating to agricultural cooperation. Gabon has sought Chinese agricultural expertise to achieve food self-sufficiency.
At the political level, China has requested Gabon’s support in its one-China principle. According to an observer, Gabon greatly appreciates the principle of non-interference in internal affairs which is the basis of its cooperation with China, a country that has become a dream destination for Gabonese students.