China and Gabon elevated their diplomatic ties during a state visit by Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema  to China.

The two countries also agreed to deepen cooperation in mining and security, according to a joint statement issued on Friday.

China and Gabon agreed to pursue closer high-level political, governmental, party, legislative, and local exchanges, according to the statement released by China’s state-run Xinhua news agency.

The two countries also expressed their willingness  to further deepen cooperation in the mining sector.

China said that  it would “support Gabon in turning its resource advantages into drivers of development.”

China and Gabon expressed commitment to strengthening cooperation in peace and security, pledging to expand exchanges between their armed forces, law enforcement agencies, and security organisation, the statement said.

The statement  further ⁠called for deeper cooperation in trade, education, and public health.

“China is willing to be a reliable friend and ⁠partner in Gabon’s independent development,” Chinese President Xi Jinping told his counterpart, Oligui Nguema, ⁠during a meeting in Beijing, Chinese state media reported. 

(Reuters/NAN)