On April 29, 2010, Chinese President Hu Jintao met respectively with President of the Republic of Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso and President of Gabon Ali Bongo Ondimba in Shanghai, who were here for the opening ceremony of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

Hu welcomed the two presidents to the opening ceremony of the Shanghai World Expo. "The Expo is yet another important international gathering following the 2008 Beijing Olympics Games," Hu said. "It's also the first time for any developing country to host the grand event." With the strong support from other developing nations, Hu said China was sure to host a successful, spectacular and memorable exposition. Sassou Nguesso and Ali Bongo congratulated China on the event and wished it a success, saying the developing countries would all share China's pride.

During his meeting with Sassou Nguesso, Hu said China and the Republic of Congo had made concerted efforts to promote the continuous development of bilateral ties since diplomatic relations were forged 46 years ago. Hu called the Republic of Congo China's "old and close friend", saying China underscores bilateral ties and is willing to further cooperation. He said the two countries should cement high-level exchanges and continue to support each other on issues concerning their core and vital interests. The two countries should deepen trade and economic cooperation, by ensuring that all ongoing cooperation projects should be fulfilled smoothly and exploring ways to expand cooperation and fully implement the series of new measures adopted at the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation. Both sides should enhance cultural and people-to-people cooperation by encouraging women and youth groups, media sectors and non-governmental organizations to increase contacts and deepen friendship. To this end, Hu said China will continue to help the Republic of Congo with personnel training. Both sides should cement coordination and collaboration in international affairs, enhance cooperation in the United Nations and other international organizations and actively cope with the challenges brought by global issues including the international financial crisis, climate change and food security, in a bid to safeguard the common interests of the developing nations.

Sassou Nguesso said bilateral friendly relations enjoy a long history and cooperation in all areas has made important positive achievements. He said his country is willing to work with China to cement cooperation in infrastructure and other sectors, and bring their cooperative relations to a new high. He thanked China for the selfless support to the Republic of Congo and its people, saying Africa-China cooperation is developing smoothly and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation has made remarkable achievements. The African states and peoples highly appreciate cooperation with China.

In his meeting with Ali Bongo, Hu described Gabon as "China's major partner for cooperation in Africa". He said bilateral relations of friendly cooperation have been going on in a sound and stable manner since China and Gabon forged diplomatic ties 36 years ago. China attaches great importance to developing ties with Gabon and is ready to work with Gabon to keep enriching the connotations of bilateral ties and enhancing the level of bilateral cooperation on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and common development. Hu suggests the two nations should increase contacts and exchanges between people of all levels and from diverse fields, enhance mutual political trust and continue to understand and support each other on major issues concerning their vital interests. Both sides should deepen cooperation in environmental protection, science and technology, telecommunications and infrastructure construction. Both sides should carry out cultural and personnel exchanges in various forms. Hu said China is willing to train more management and technical professionals for Gabon. Both sides should cement collaboration in the UN Security Council and other multilateral bodies and enhance consultation and coordinate positions on major international and regional issues to safeguard the common interests of the developing nations.

Ali Bongo said Gabon-China friendly cooperative relations are developing smoothly based on mutual respect and mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs. Gabon is satisfied with its relations with China and is willing to further promote the cooperative partnership, deepen and expand concrete cooperation in diverse sectors and make such reciprocal cooperation exemplary in South-South cooperation. Gabon is always China’s good partner and good friend.

Yu Zhengsheng, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, Ling Jihua, member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, Wang Huning, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and director of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee, State Councilor Dai Bingguo and other officials attended the above meetings.