On the afternoon of December 8, 2016, Premier Li Keqiang met at the Great Hall of the People with President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon, who was in China for a state visit.

Li Keqiang expressed that Gabon is an important cooperation partner of China in Central Africa. President Xi Jinping held fruitful talks with Mr. President yesterday, lifting bilateral relations to a comprehensive cooperative partnership. China is willing to work with Gabon to transform bilateral traditional friendship and economic complementary advantages into the impetus for the development of bilateral relations and more practical cooperation results as well as open up a new situation of the development of bilateral relationship, so as to continuously push forward China-Africa friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Li Keqiang pointed out that China is ready to, together with Gabon, focus on developing economy, improving people's livelihood and enhancing the capacity for sustainable development, better dovetail development strategies and strengthen cooperation in such areas as energy resource development, infrastructure construction, agriculture, forestry, fisheries and the deep processing of products based on market principles. The new type of passenger aircraft independently designed by China can meet the development needs of African countries and regional aviation network due to its safety and cost-effectiveness. Both sides can discuss to launch cooperation in this regard.

Ali Bongo Ondimba expressed that Gabon-China practical cooperation enjoys a smooth progress. Both countries maintain close communication and coordination in international and regional affairs, and bilateral relationship is regarded as a model of state relations. Gabon is now at a critical period of economic transformation and upgrade, and is willing to deepen cooperation with China in a wide range of areas including infrastructure development, agriculture, forestry, mining, deep processing of products and civil aviation. The country welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest and develop business in Gabon to jointly explore new opportunities for development.