On April 20, 2009, a reception was held in Beijing to mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Gabon. The reception was jointly hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Gabonese Embassy in China.

Feng Zuoku, vice president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, said China and Gabon, as traditional friendly countries, have witnessed the smooth development of bilateral ties. In recent years, the two countries have increased friendly exchanges between their governments, parliaments, political parties, localities and non-governmental organizations and made marked achievements in pragmatic cooperation on economy, trade, culture, education and public health, Feng said. Feng added that both sides had cooperated more closely in regional and international affairs.

Gabonese Ambassador to China Emmanuel Mba-Allo spoke highly of bilateral relations, saying that sincere friendship, trust and respect were at the core of the dynamic cooperation between both sides.

Over 300 guests including Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Hongbo and Wang Yumin, Vice-Minister of Health Department of General Logistics Department, P.L.A. attended the reception. Earlier, they visited a photo exhibition on China-Gabon friendship and cooperation and a mini exhibition of Gabonese handicrafts.