Visiting senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Wu Guanzheng metThursday with Gabonese President Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba.

Wu, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC, conveyed President Hu Jintao's cordial greetings and best wishes to Bongo.

He said that President Bongo is a respectable old friend of the Chinese people, and that his many successful visits to China contributed greatly to promoting the Sino-Gabonese friendship.

Though far apart, the two countries and peoples have maintained brotherly friendship and constantly increased exchanges and cooperation, he said.

In recent years, despite the increasingly complicated regional situation, Gabon has always maintained stability and become an "oasis" of peace and stability in central Africa, which China very much appreciates, said Wu.

He said that China values the Sino-Gabonese traditional friendship, and is willing to work together with Gabon to increase exchanges and expand cooperation, so as to push forward the all-round development of Sino-Gabonese relations.

He also expressed thanks to the Gabonese government for its firm support to China on Taiwan, human rights and other issues.

On Sino-African relations, Wu said China has always attached importance to developing Sino-African relations, firmly supporting the development and rejuvenation of the continent.

In the first half of this year, Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao visited Africa successively, which has greatly boosted the Sino-African relations, Wu said.

China is happy to work together with African countries to push the new type of Sino-African strategic partnership to an even higher level, he added.

Bongo asked Wu to convey his cordial greetings and best wishes to President Hu.

He said that the Democratic Party of Gabon (DPG) and the Gabonese government value the development of friendly relations with China.

The friendly cooperation between the two countries is comprehensive, bringing real benefit to Gabon's economic and social development and the improvement of people's living standard.

The DPG, the Gabonese government and people sincerely thank the CPC, the Chinese government and people for their support and assistance to Gabon's development over the years, he said, noting that he is looking forward to attending the Beijing Summit of the Sino-African Cooperation Forum to be held in November.

Following the meeting, Wu and Bongo witnessed the signing ceremony of economic cooperation agreements between the two governments.

Source: Xinhua