On the afternoon of November 6, 2026, President Xi Jinping held talks with President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema of the Gabonese Republic, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The two leaders jointly announced the elevation of bilateral relations to a China-Gabon community with a shared future for the new era.
President Xi noted that the long-standing traditional friendship between China and Gabon was personally forged and nurtured by the elder generation of leaders in both countries. Committed to equal treatment, mutual support and common development, our two countries have built a relationship that has withstood the test of the changing international landscape and remained rock-solid. As transformations unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace, China is advancing the building of a great modern socialist country in all respects and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through the Chinese path to modernization. At the same time, Gabon has entered a new stage of national development and revitalization. Deepening China-Gabon relations meets the shared aspirations of the two peoples and keeps pace with the trend of the Global South seeking strength through unity. China is ready to be a reliable friend and partner as Gabon pursues independent development, supports Gabon’s political, economic and diplomatic independence, and will work with Gabon to jointly build the China-Gabon community with a shared future for the new era.
President Xi emphasized that mutual support is a distinctive feature and political strength of China-Gabon relations. China will, as always, support Gabon in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions. This year marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Having weathered hardships, the CPC has grown stronger and become the largest governing party in the world, and adhering to full and rigorous Party self-governance has been key to its success. China stands ready to work with Gabon to increase exchanges at all levels, share experience in Party and state governance, and support Gabon in strengthening its governance capacity. With strong economic complementarity and great cooperation potential, the two sides should create greater synergy between development strategies, foster new growth drivers for cooperation, and make good use of the new opportunities offered by the zero-tariff treatment that China granted to African countries and the “green lanes” for African agricultural exports to China, so as to expand and upgrade bilateral trade and investment cooperation, boost Gabon’s industrial development, employment and livelihoods, and strengthen its capacity for independent economic development. I put forward the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and the four global initiatives, namely the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative. They serve first and foremost the common interests of the Global South and African countries. China supports Gabon in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs, and stands ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Gabon to jointly build a better world.
President Oligui Nguema said that the Gabon-China friendship has spanned more than half a century, and strategic mutual trust has always been the cornerstone of the partnership between the two countries. The bilateral cooperation is vibrant, and cooperation in such areas as infrastructure, energy, healthcare, education and vocational training has effectively promoted Gabon’s economic diversification and improved people’s well-being. Gabon will firmly adhere to the one-China principle. Gabon congratulates the CPC on the successful convening of the fifth plenary session of its 20th Central Committee, and looks forward to conducting exchanges between political parties and drawing on China’s success experience in Party and state governance. Gabon stands ready to further deepen practical cooperation with China, and welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Gabon, assisting Gabon in achieving industrialization and sustainable development. China and Africa have established a mutually beneficial partnership. China’s zero-tariff policy meets the need of African countries, enables more African products to enter the vast Chinese market, and carries historic significance for the development of African countries. Gabon highly commends China for promoting multilateralism and upholding fairness and justice in international and regional affairs. It stands ready to strengthen coordination with China, enhance Africa-China solidarity and cooperation, and jointly safeguard the interests of the Global South.
After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents on the implementation of the Global Security Initiative, the zero-tariff treatment, industrial and supply chains, Chinese language education, etc.
During the visit, the two sides issued the Joint Statement of the People’s Republic of China and the Gabonese Republic on Building a China-Gabon Community with a Shared Future for the New Era.
Prior to the talks, President Xi Jinping held a welcome ceremony for President Oligui Nguema in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People. As President Oligui Nguema arrived, honor guards lined up in salutation. After the two presidents stepped onto the reviewing stand, the military band played the national anthems of China and Gabon. A 21-gun salute was performed on the Tian’anmen Square. President Oligui Nguema reviewed the guard of honor of the People’s Liberation Army and watched the march-past in President Xi Jinping’s company.
In the evening, President Xi Jinping hosted a welcome banquet for President Oligui Nguema in the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People.
Wang Yi attended the events.