China, Gabon release joint statement

Beijing, The Gulf Observer: China and Gabon issued a joint statement on Wednesday during President of the Gabonese Republic Ali Bongo Ondimba’s state visit to China from April 18 to 21.

The two countries have decided to elevate the comprehensive cooperative partnership between the two countries to a “comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership,” according to the statement.

In a world undergoing profound changes, China and Gabon have supported each other in advancing their shared interests and upholding international equity and justice, said the statement.

The two sides agreed that it is necessary to respect the right of every country to pursue and explore a path of democracy and human rights development tailored to its national reality, and resolutely oppose any countries’ interference in internal affairs of sovereign states, it added.

The two sides will further deepen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation for common development, it noted.

Both sides agreed that President Ali Bongo’s visit to China is successful and of great significance to promoting the development of China-Gabon relations and the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

President Ali Bongo invited President Xi Jinping to visit Gabon in 2024 when the two countries will celebrate the 50th anniversary of China-Gabon diplomatic relations.