President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a photograph with Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba and his wife Sylvia Bongo Ondimba in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday. [Photo by Feng Yongbin / China Daily]

President Xi Jinping and Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership on Wednesday as the two nations pledged to bolster cooperation on infrastructure, agriculture and the response to climate change.

In talks with Bongo at the Great Hall of the People, Xi also reiterated Beijing"s unwavering support for African nations in following an independent path of development and its firm backing for Africa"s efforts in advancing food security, industrialization and green development.

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Before their talks, the president gave the Gabonese leader, who is on a four-day state visit to China, a grand welcoming ceremony with a 21-gun salute, a review of the guard of honor and the performances of military bands.

The two heads of state also witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation agreements covering investment, agriculture, housing, urban development and climate change.

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Gabonese Republic Ali Bongo Ondimba at the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, April 19, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Xi told Bongo that the two sides, which are set to celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations next year, have built their friendship on a rock-solid foundation.

Calling Bongo "an old friend" of the Chinese people, Xi said the Gabonese president was the first African head of state he had hosted since being reelected as the Chinese president, which fully demonstrates the importance and high level of the China-Gabon relations.

China is willing to enhance exchanges of state governance experience with Gabon, deepen strategic mutual trust, and extend firm support over issues concerning respective core interests and major concerns, Xi said.

He expressed readiness to further strategic alignment with the Gabonese side, move forward with cooperation in infrastructure construction, forestry, fisheries, the digital economy and the development of industrial parks and support the nation in the diversification of its economy and industry upgrading.

The two sides should step up people-to-people exchanges and work more closely together on tourism, rural vitalization and poverty alleviation, said the president.

It is important for the two countries to strengthen strategic cooperation on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, safeguard global peace, development and international fairness and justice and protect the common interests of developing countries, he said.

Speaking of China-Africa ties, Xi pointed out that with the world now facing multifaceted challenges and various crises, it is even more necessary than ever for China and Africa to reinforce unity and cooperation.

He appealed to both sides to resolutely oppose hegemony and power politics in any form, oppose interference in the domestic affairs of other countries and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Beijing firmly supports Africa becoming a key force in global political and economic development and is willing to offer new opportunities to Africa with its own development, he said.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, trade between China and Gabon reached $4.55 billion in 2022, registering a year-on-year increase of 50.8 percent. China has been a major purchaser of crude oil, manganese ore and wooden products from Gabon.

Bongo noted that the two sides, with a high level of political mutual trust, have always respected and supported each other.

He expressed his hope that both nations can further build up cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture and tourism, saying that his country welcomes Chinese businesses to take part in the construction of industrial parks and is willing to offer a good environment for Chinese firms.

Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People"s Congress, also had separate meetings with the Gabonese president on Wednesday.

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