Chinese Ambassador to Gabon Li Fushun addresses a reception to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, in Libreville, capital of Gabon, on Sept. 28, 2009. About 500 guests from Gabon's government and all circles, overseas Chinese in Gabon, representatives from China-invested enterprises and foreign envoys attended the reception on Monday. (Xinhua/Ren Yaqiu) Photo Gallery>>>

    LIBREVILLE, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- "In 35 years of sustained relations, Libreville and Beijing have consolidated their cooperation. This Sino-Gabonese relations are the best models of south-south relations strengthened by their dynamic diplomacy," Gabonese Communication Minister Madam Laure Olga Gondjout told Xinhua on Monday in Libreville.

    Oct. 1 will be the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The Chinese people all over the world are preparing to celebrate this national festival. During this occasion, Gabon's Communication Minister appreciated the excellent friendly relations between China and Gabon.

    "Since the establishment on April 20, 1974 of the diplomatic relations between China and Gabon, the close ties between the two have not ceased to develop," Gonjout went on.

    "In 35 years, apart from the excellent political relations between the two countries, the latest form have been economic and commercial cooperation. In the commercial sector, for example, Gabon has become one of the biggest trading partner with China in West and Central Africa."

    "In the domain of economic cooperation, China has accorded to the government of Gabon loans without interest and even grants. These funds have helped to complete a big number of cooperation projects which include, among others, the new National assembly and Senate building, George Rawiri House, two medical centers where medical teams from China were posted there, two primary schools, a pharmaceutical laboratory in Franceville and a factory for cassava transformation," the minister indicated.

    For those projects under construction, she cited that of hydroelectric power at Poubara which has employed about 1,000 people and that of a stadium with a capacity of 40,000 and this is in the framework of CAN Football target by 2012.

    She pointed out that the Gabono-Chinese relations are impressive because they are accompanied "not just by the transfer of technology, but also the creation of jobs."

    On the plan of military cooperation between China and Gabon, she indicated that there was a military clinic of the two armies which was organised recently in Gabon in the province of Ogooue-Ivindo and that the training by the Chinese military of the Gabonese Guard of Honour was greatly admired in the military procession during Gabon's national days.

    Asked about her perspective on the Sino-Gabonese relations, Gondjout said "Gabon's government will not spare any effort in preserving the current achievements in the relations and doing what is necessary to reinforce the relations further."

    Since the establishment of their diplomatic relations in 1974, China and Gabon have had excellent relations and bilateral cooperations.

Special Report: 60th Anniversary of Founding of PRC