Le Gabon - Beijing welcomes Africa

PRESIDENT El Haj Omar Bongo Ondimba was one of 48 African leaders to attend the milestone China-Africa summit in Beijing in November at which China pledged to double aid and trade with African nations.

He received a red-carpet welcome from Chinese President Hu Jintao who said China and Gabon had boosted co-operation on trade, resources exploration, infrastructure and telecommunications. "We will work to deepen economic and trade co-operation and consultation in international affairs," he said.

It was the Gabonese president’s 10th visit to China. His long relationship with the country was marked by a special exhibition of photographs recording his friendship with four generations of Chinese leaders, beginning in 1974 when Gabon first established diplomatic relations with China. Gabon’s bilateral trade value with China was $393 (€307) million in 2005 – the main imports being textiles, mechanical and electrical products and the exports, timber, petroleum and manganese. The recent signing of an important deal to develop a vast iron ore mining project at Belinga in central Gabon is expected to boost this trade value to $500 (€450) by 2016.

President Bongo urged China to help Central Africa meet the goals of NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Development) by investing in the 11 member states of CEMAC (Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa). “It is a vast peaceful area with a population of 130 million and is rich in natural resources,” he said, adding that improved infrastructure – roads, ports, airports etc – was vital to exploit these. South African President Thabo Mbeki shared these views: “The primary objectives of NEPAD are to eradicate poverty, to halt the marginalisation of Africa and to integrate African countries into the global economy.” He hoped that the forum would be used as a stepping stone based on a shared vision of Africa’s developmental challenges.

China expects annual trade with Africa to total $100 (€79) billion by 2010. President Jintao promised Africa $3 (€2.3) billion in preferential loans, $2 (€1.6) billion in export credits and the foundation of a $5 (€4) billion fund to encourage Chinese investment in the continent. He said that China’s strategic partnership with Africa was a “win-win economic co-operation. Common destiny and common goals have brought us together,” he said.

Gabon Magazine - Winter 2006