China and Gabon will always maintain friendly relations as their friendship is deeply rooted between the two peoples, Li Fushun, Chinese Ambassador to Gabon, told Xinhua in an interview on Friday.

"Whenever you go to the streets in Gabon's capital Libreville, some local people will say 'Nihao' (the Chinese phrase for Hello) to you. The friendship between China and Gabon are not only between the two governments, but also cherished by the two peoples," Li said.

Gabon's President Omar Bongo, Africa's longest-serving head of state, died in Spain on June 8 at the age of 73. The burial of the late leader was held in Franceville on Thursday.

Ambassador Li said that late President Bongo had been a great friend for China, and he had visited China for 11 times during his41 years at the top job. "We have lost a great friend in Africa," Li said.

In order to show great respect for the late president, China sent a high-level delegation to Bongo's state funeral held on Tuesday.

After the departure of President Bongo, the two countries will continue to strengthen bilateral relations. Ambassador Li said that the Chinese side will work together with Gabon's new leadership to further develop their cooperative and friendly ties.

"We have made lots of friends here, through our investments, cultural exchanges, and our medical teams. We will work even harder to maintain the friendship between the two countries and the two peoples," said Ambassador Li.

Bongo has earned himself the image of a peacemaker, playing an important role in attempts to solve the crises in the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Among Gabonese, he is seen as a charismatic and straightforward figure. He is also popular for the relative stability of his country during his reign. He is also seen as a great friend for China.

Following Bongo's death, Gabon's Senate Speaker Rose Francine Rogombe has taken over as the country's interim head of state and is charged with organizing presidential elections within 45 days.

Gabon, a country of some 1.5 million people, is currently in 30days of official mourning for its late leader. Public offices and businesses closed down on Thursday, and billboards showing pictures of the late president can be seen alongside the main road of capital Libreville.

The state funeral held Tuesday at the seaside presidential palace here drew some two dozen leaders and dignitaries to pay homage to the late leader.

In recognition for the late leader, delegates to Libreville said Tuesday Bongo's death was not only a huge loss to Gabon, but also a great loss for Africa as a whole.

Head of the Chinese delegation, Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang, who is also a special envoy of Chinese President Hu Jintao, said at the funeral that President Bongo had made historical contributions to Sino-Gabonese friendly relations.

Source: Xinhua