On April 20, 2014, President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages with President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between China and Gabon.

Xi Jinping said in his congratulatory message that, the older generations of state leaders of both countries decided to establish the ambassadorial-level diplomatic relationship 40 years ago, which ushered China-Gabon friendship onto a new stage of development. Over the last 40 years, the two governments and the two peoples have respected each other, supported each other and sincerely cooperated with each other, forging a profound friendship. Entering the new century, China-Gabon relations have achieved rapid development and the two peoples have benefited a lot from the bilateral cooperation. Both as developing countries and members of China-Africa community of shared destiny, China and Gabon are striving for the development and rejuvenation of our countries and our nations. Under the new circumstances, to further develop China-Gabon relations is in line with the fundamental interests of the two peoples. I highly value the China-Gabon relations. The Chinese side stands ready to join hands with Gabon to consolidate traditional friendship and deepen friendly cooperation so as to bring new vigor and vitality to China-Gabon relations.

Bongo said in his congratulatory message that for the 40 years since the establishment of Gabon-China diplomatic relationship, the bilateral friendly cooperation has always maintained a healthy and stable development. China has actively participated in the national development and construction of Gabon, and is an important strategic partner of Gabon in implementing the Strategic Plan for Emerging Gabon. By taking this opportunity, and on behalf of the Gabonese government and people and in his own name, he expressed his heartfelt satisfaction with numerous construction projects completed by China in Gabon. In addition, both sides have conducted successful cooperation in multilateral affairs. Both countries hold similar views on quite a number of major issues, and have maintained candid and friendly cooperation and exchanges in international institutions. He wishes to join efforts with President Xi Jinping to deepen and expand the fruitful friendly cooperative relations between Gabon and China.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi exchanged as well the congratulatory messages with Foreign Minister Emmanuel Issoze Ngondet of Gabon for the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-Gabon diplomatic relationship.