(ECNS) -- Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba will be the first African head of state to be received by President Xi Jinping since his reelection as Chinese President, Chinese Foreign Minister spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at the news briefing on Friday.
Wang said President Xi will hold a welcome ceremony and a welcome banquet for President Ali Bongo. The two heads of state will hold talks and jointly attend a signing ceremony of cooperation documents. Premier Li Qiang and Chairman Zhao Leji will meet with Ali Bongo respectively.
The spokesperson noted that Gabon is an important country in Central Africa. China and Gabon enjoy a traditional friendship. Since the two countries established diplomatic ties nearly 50 years ago, with the care of generations of leaders of both sides, China and Gabon have cemented and grown our relations, and firmly supported each other on issues that bear on the core interests and major concerns of each side.
In recent years, the two countries have deepened political mutual trust, engaged in fruitful practical cooperation and worked closely with each other in international and regional affairs, he added.
"We are confident that this visit will provide new impetus for the comprehensive and deep-going growth of China-Gabon relations, and generate new outcomes in the friendly cooperation between the two countries," the spokesperson said.