Gabon: The romantic farewell of the Chinese ambassador to Gabon

Li Jinjin, Chinese ambassador to Gabon, organized a farewell ceremony on Tuesday evening at the embassy in Libreville during which he delivered a romantic speech about his 20-month stay in Gabon, a country he has been working for many years from Beijing.

“I arrived in Gabon on August 8, 2022 as the 13th Ambassador of China to Gabon. This ‘green gold country’ was not new to me,” stated the diplomat in front of an audience including top Gabonese officials such as Vice President of the Republic Joseph Owandault Berre, Prime Minister Raymond Ndong Sima, and several members of the Gabonese government.

“Time flies. These last 20 months have allowed me to learn so much more about this unforgettable country in my life. As I leave, scenes come back to me one after the other,” he continued, to the admiring gaze of his fellow diplomats who had come to bid him farewell.

“Here, the natural wealth has impressed me. In the Congo Basin, the Earth’s second lung, I saw the immense Ogooué River, the centuries-old trees, the mysterious fog, the rich biological diversity. And the evening breeze from the Atlantic Ocean, the pink sunset that accompanied me as I jogged along the shore, will certainly be missed,” he recounted.

“Here, the cultural diversity has fascinated me. I am deeply touched by the openness, kindness, and hospitality of the Gabonese people. The traditional dances and masks from different Okoumé wood ethnicities immerse me in the very ancient civilization of Central Africa. And the youth playing football on the street, on the beach, the ordinary people smiling while walking in the streets, make me feel connected to a strong and resilient people,” supported the now former ambassador of China to Gabon.

“Here, the promising development potential has amazed me. As I travelled through the forests, mines, factories, power plants, and construction sites in Haut-Ogooué, Ogooué-Lolo, Middle Ogooué, and Ogooué-Maritime, I am pleasantly surprised by the incomparable resources of this beautiful country and encouraged by the vitality of Sino-Gabonese cooperation. Instead of politics, development is the key to solving all problems. I wish the friendly people of Gabon to prosper on the path of development that suits your own national conditions,” advised Li Jinjin.

History

After this poem about Gabon, the diplomat delved into history by mentioning the longstanding diplomatic relations between Libreville and Beijing.

“I am very proud that Sino-Gabonese relations have reached a higher level. 50 years ago, President MAO Zedong and President Omar Bongo Ondimba opened the very first friendly chapter between China and Gabon, a friendship that remains strong despite international ups and downs,” he recalled.

In 2023, China and Gabon established the Strategic Partnership of Comprehensive Cooperation, a historic milestone in the development of bilateral relations.

“China has been Gabon’s largest trading partner for 11 consecutive years,” Li Jinjin reminded.

Projects

China is advancing projects such as the renovation of the Senate Palace and the agricultural techniques dissemination base. The two countries maintain close relations in terms of investments and cooperation in minerals, forestry industry, etc. More and more Chinese companies are coming to invest in Gabon, creating jobs and adding value to raw materials, thus positively contributing to the socio-economic development of the country.

China has built three modern professional teaching and training centers in Nkok, Franceville, and Port-Gentil specializing in technical training. They help to lay solid foundations for Gabon’s industrialization and economic diversification.

Since 1977, Chinese medical missions have been providing quality medical services in Gabon, warmly welcomed by the government and the Gabonese people.

The Confucius Institute at Omar Bongo University, inaugurated since late 2018, serves as a bridge for linguistic and cultural exchanges.

Scholarships

Last year, over 100 civil servants went to China for training, and over 150 visas were issued to Gabonese students, many of whom are beneficiaries of scholarships granted by the Chinese government, local authorities, or Chinese universities.

Camille Boussoughou