Gabon leader's visit to bolster relationship

Two nations have enjoyed strong, cooperative, commercial links since 1974

Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba will make a four-day state visit to China starting on Tuesday. The trip is expected to further boost ties between the two nations.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Ali Bongo will be the first head of state of an African country to be received by President Xi Jinping since Xi's election as Chinese president in March.

Wang said at a regular news briefing on Friday that Xi will hold a welcome ceremony and banquet for the Gabonese leader, hold talks with him and attend a joint signing ceremony of cooperation documents.