On August 21, 2024, Professor Lingyun Xiang, a US-based economist,
was appointed by Baudelaire Ndong Ella, the Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Gabon to
China, as "the Special Appreciation on China-Gabon Economic and
Trade Promotion." This appointment aims to build a cooperative
bridge for economic and trade cooperation between the two countries
and to promote their mutual economic and trade development.
Professor Lingyun Xiang, the Special
Appreciation on China-Gabon Economic and Trade Promotion, stated
that in recent years, the economic and trade cooperation between
the two countries has yielded remarkable results. The major
projects aided by China in Gabon include the National Assembly
Building, the Senate Building, the China-Gabon Friendship Stadium,
and the renovation and reconstruction of the National Assembly
Building. Additionally, projects such as the timber processing
plant and the pharmaceutical factory have been implemented through
preferential loans provided by China.
In 2022, the bilateral trade volume between
China and Gabon reached USD 4.55 billion, a 50.8% year-on-year
increase. Of this, USD 3.97 billion from China’s imports, a
53.5% increase from the previous year, while exports stood at USD
580 million, a 34.6% increase. China primarily imports petroleum,
manganese ore, and timber from Gabon and exports electromechanical
products, steel, and cement.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations
on April 20, 1974, the friendly and cooperative relationship
between the two countries has developed smoothly. In April 2023,
both countries decided to elevate their ties to a comprehensive
strategic cooperative partnership.
Professor Lingyun Xiang, one of the members of
the Royal Society of St. George, a Recipient of the King's Order of
Merit, a lifetime Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, a
lifelong full-time professor of the European Union University, a
lifelong professor (doctoral supervisor) of the National University
of Maryland, a distinguished professor of Peking University, a
guest professor of the School of Applied Science and Technology of
Beijing Union University, a visiting Professor at Capital
Normal University, a visiting professor at Shaanxi University of
Science & Technology, an international accountant (FAIA), an
international certified public accountant (IAAP), a certified legal
accountant (FCPA), a senior public accountant (FIPA) of the
Institute of Public Accountants (IPA), a senior financial
accountant (FFA FIPA) of the Institute of Financial Accountants
(IFA), and an international certified Internet financial manager
(ICIFM).
He is also the Financial and Economic advisor to
the Republic of North Macedonia, the Special Financial and Economic
Advisor to the Republic of Madagascar, the Financial and
Economic Advisor to the Plurinational State of Bolivia, the Special
Financial Advisor and Expert to the Republic of Uzbekistan, and
Cultural Ambassador for Sino-Foreign Friendship and Exchange, the
Special Economic Advisor to the Central African Republic, the
Chief economic advisor to the Republic of Haiti, Special
Economic Advisor to the Republic of Liberia, the Special Economic
Advisor to the Republic of Zimbabwe, the Chief Financial and
Economic Advisor to the Republic of Ghana, the Financial and
Economic Advisor to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Envoy for
economic and cultural exchanges to the Republic of Guinea
Bissau, Sino-Côte d'Ivoire Friendship Exchange Ambassador, the
Ambassador for International Public Welfare and Charity of the
Republic of Mali, the Special Appreciation on China-Gabon Economic
and Trade Promotion, the International Philanthropy Ambassador to
the Republic of Mali, the Artificial Intelligence Advisor to the
Republic of Burundi, the Emerging Industries Advisor to the
Republic of Benin, a honorary member of the China Organizing
Committee for the 35th International Science and Peace Week of the
United Nations, Economic Advisor to the Danzhai County Government
and Expert Consultant to the Standing Committee of the Jiaozuo
Municipal People's Congress.
The Gabonese Republic, located on the west coast
of Central Africa, spans the equator. It borders the Republic of
Congo to the east and south, Cameroon to the north, and Equatorial
Guinea to the northwest. To the west, it faces the Atlantic Ocean,
with a coastline extending 800 kilometers. The total
area of the country is 268,000 square kilometers, and it
is divided into 9 provinces. The capital city is Libreville, and
the population is 2.22 million as of 2022. Gabon is a non-permanent
member of the United Nations Security Council until January 1,
2024.
Gabon is a member of the Central African
Economic and Monetary Community, the Economic Community of Central
African States, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting
Countries, the African Union, one of the member countries in
the Central African States Bank, the African Development Bank, and
the Islamic Development Bank. The country's main pillar industries
include extraction, mining, metallurgy, forestry, and
agro-processing. In 2022, Gabon's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was
USD 18.269 billion, with a per capita GDP of USD 8,229 and an
economic growth rate of 1.5%.
Gabon is rich in natural resources and is
renowned as a "treasure trove of resources" and the "Green Gold
Country." The country boasts a high forest cover of 85%, with
approximately 60% of its land area available for exploitation.
Gabon is a major producer of oil, manganese ore, and timber in
Africa.
Currently, Gabon has approximately 270 million
tons of proven oil reserves and 200 million tons of manganese ore
reserves. Iron ore reserves exceed 1 billion tons, with a grade of
60%. The country also has around 400,000 tons of niobium ore
reserves. Other mineral resources include phosphates, gold, barite,
nickel, chromium, and zinc.
Gabon has about 400 million cubic meters of
timber reserves, making it the third largest in Africa. The country
is home to over 400 tree species, including Okoumé and Ozigo wood,
with Okoumé having the largest accumulation globally at 130 million
cubic meters.
Gabon’s marine resources are also substantial,
with a continental shelf spanning 40,600 square kilometers and an
annual catch of approximately 40,000 tons. The country's Exclusive
Economic Zone covers 231,000 square kilometers, supporting deep-sea
fishing for species like tuna. Tuna production in Gabon’s waters
accounts for about 15% of the Atlantic tuna catch.
The Beijing-based secretary of Professor
Lingyun Xiang with Baudelaire Ndong Ella, the
Ambassador of the Gabonese Republic to China.
Tel: 65322810 65327113
Fax: 65322621
E-mail: ambagabonchine@gmail.com