Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Gabonese counterpart El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba sent congratulatory messages to each other on Tuesday, hailing the 30th anniversary of the establishment of full diplomatic ties.  

In his message to Bongo, Hu said the Sino-Gabonese relationship has stood the test of time and changeable situation since the establishment of diplomatic ties 30 years ago, and has moved forward smoothly and steadily.

The two sides have respected mutually and treated each other equally, and carried out fruitful exchanges and cooperation in the fields of politics, economy and trade, culture and education, and public health, Hu said. The two countries have supported each other in international and regional affairs and cooperated closely, he added.

The Chinese president mentioned his successful state visit to Gabon this February, and said major common understanding was reached between him and Bongo on furthering the two countries' friendly and cooperative ties.

In his message, Bongo expressed his admiration to China as it has been unswervingly pushing forward reforms and opening up drive over past many years, gained eye-catching achievements and played an important role in international affairs.

The Gabonese-Sino ties, which were forged against a volatile international background, have been developing soundly, Bongo said. Gabon hoped to widen cooperation with China, enriching its contents and making it more vigorous, he added.

On the same day, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Gabon's Minister of State Jean Ping, who also serves as Gabon's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Francophone, sent congratulatory messages to each other to hail the anniversary.

In his telegram sent Tuesday to Gabonese counterpart, the Chinese foreign minister expressed China's willingness to further expand cooperation with Gabon in the fields of politics, trade, economy, culture and education.

(Xinhua News Agency April 20, 2004)