Madar (International) - Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the afternoon of Friday, November 6, 2026, during the Gabonese leader's state visit, and the two announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a "China-Gabon community with a shared future for the new era", according to a readout from China's Foreign Ministry.
Xi said China would be a dependable friend and partner as Gabon pursues independent development and supported its political, economic and diplomatic independence. He proposed aligning development strategies, expanding trade and investment and making use of China's zero-tariff treatment for African countries and its "green lanes" for African agricultural exports, the readout said.
Oligui Nguema said cooperation with China in infrastructure, energy, health, education and vocational training had supported Gabon's economic diversification and public welfare. He reaffirmed Gabon's adherence to the one-China principle, invited more Chinese companies to invest in Gabon and described China's zero-tariff policy as historically significant for Africa's development.
After the talks, the two presidents witnessed the signing of several cooperation documents covering implementation of the Global Security Initiative, zero-tariff treatment, industrial and supply chains and Chinese language education, and the two countries issued a joint statement. According to Africanews, the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in mining and security, with China pledging to help Gabon develop its natural resources and to support its National Growth and Development Plan, alongside more exchanges between their military and security agencies.
Xi earlier held an official welcome ceremony, including a 21-gun salute in Tiananmen Square, and hosted a banquet for his guest in the evening, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi attending, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.
