Senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Wu Guanzheng and General Secretary of the Democratic Party of Gabon (DPG) Simplice Guedet-Manzela on Wednesday vowed to work together to further expand bilateral cooperation.

 

Wu, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC, arrived in Libreville on Wednesday for an official and goodwill visit after concluding his visit to Botswana.

 

In a meeting with Manzela, Wu said the Chinese and Gabonese peoples have a long history of friendship. Over the past 32 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have carried out sincere, friendly and effective cooperation in the fields of politics, economy and trade, science and technology as well as culture.

 

The two countries also cooperated closely in international affairs, he noted.

 

China and Gabon are entering a new stage of all-round development of bilateral relations, he said. The Chinese side appreciates the efforts made by Gabon in developing the Sino-Gabonese relations and is willing to further consolidate friendly cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual-benefit, so as to realize common development and push forward bilateral relations.

 

Wu stressed that the CPC values relations with the DPG, saying that exchanges and cooperation between the two ruling parties are an important part of the state-to-state relations.

 

In the new international situation, the two parties should continue to maintain communication and reinforce exchanges, he said, adding that the CPC will continue to develop exchange and cooperation with the DPG and help promote a comprehensive, stable and healthy development of the Sino-Gabonese relations.

 

Wu also briefed Manzela on China's economic and social development and party building.

 

Manzela said Gabon is one of the first countries in Africa to have established diplomatic ties with China, since then the two parties and two countries have constantly consolidated their friendly cooperation, for which the Gabonese side feels delighted.?????

 

On behalf of the DPG, the Gabonese government and people, he expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and people for their support and assistance.

 

He said that President Hu Jintao's successful visit to Gabon in 2004 has brought the Gabonese-Chinese friendly relations into a new stage of comprehensive development.

 

The DPG is full of confidence over the prospect of the mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, especially economic and social sectors, he said, adding that the Gabonese side hopes to push forward ties with China and further benefit both peoples through increasing friendly exchanges between the two parties.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 8, 2006)