Gabon President Bongo met with visiting Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan on the afternoon of January 15, 2001.

Tang conveyed to him the cordial greetings from President Jiang Zemin, NPC Chairman Li Peng and Premier Zhu Rongji, for which Bongo expressed gratitude. In return, he also asked Tang to convey his best wishes to President Jiang, Chairman Li and Premier Zhu.

Tang spoke highly of Bongo who has attached great importance to and has been committed to the development of China-Gabon relations. He said that Bongo, a respected friend of the Chinese people, has attached great importance to bilateral relations over the years and has made great contribution to the enhancement of China-Gabon friendship and to the promotion of bilateral friendly relations and cooperation through his 8 successful visits to China. He noted that since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1974, bilateral ties have maintained good momentum of development, adding that in recent years, in particular, bilateral mutual trust has been boosted, cooperation in all areas increased and new momentum has presented itself in the development of bilateral relations. Tang also expressed appreciation and gratitude to President Bongo and the Gabon government for their adherence to the One China policy.

Bongo said that Gabon attaches great importance to its relations with China, adding that Tang’s ongoing visit is important in that it will further promote the political relations between the two countries and help to augment bilateral economic cooperation and trade. He pointed out that Gabon is very satisfied with the development of bilateral ties and stands ready to further deepen and expand friendly and mutually beneficial relations and cooperation with China. Bongo also briefed Tang on the situations on the African continent as well as Gabon’s important role in diffusing conflicts in Africa.

Tang noted that regional conflicts still flare up in Africa in recent years, exerting negative impact upon the unity, stability and development of African countries, adding that causes of these conflicts are very complicated. These conflicts may stem from internal disputes or foreign intervention, political disputes or economic backwardness and poverty, old questions left over from history or new challenges brought by globalization. Therefore, China maintains that the following 4 principles should be observed in order to resolve conflicts in Africa:

1. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of African countries should be respected and their internal affairs must not be interfered in;
2. Conflicts should be resolved through dialogues and consultation and by peaceful means and African unity should be safeguarded.
3. The international community should support the independent efforts made by African countries and people in maintaining peace and stability and provide necessary assistance at the same time.
4. Symptoms and root causes should be dealt with at the same time. Peace should be promoted through development. Only in this way can conflicts in Africa be resolved and their root causes be removed.

China supports the African countries in their efforts to peacefully resolve regional conflicts and supports the active role of OAU and UN in maintaining regional peace and stability.

Last but not least, Bongo said that China, one of the most influential country in the world, represents the future of the developing world, adding that China has served as a model for other developing countries and opened up bright prospects. He went on to say that to develop long-term, stable friendly relations with China conforms to the interests of the developing world.

On the very morning, Tang also met with Gabon Prime Minister Emane. On the afternoon of January 14, Tang held talks with his Gabon counterpart, after which they exchanged notes on the provision of free assistance by the Chinese government to the Gabon government.