The 99th founding anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army of China was commemorated recently in Libreville, bathed in the twin themes of remembrance and peace under the banner of the China-Gabon partnership. At the Chinese embassy, Ambassador Zhou Ping took the floor to underline the flourishing ties between Gabon and Beijing—ties that are set to deepen further in November when President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema travels to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, marking 52 years since diplomatic relations were established between the two capitals.
Looking ahead to 2026, the ambassador highlighted milestone anniversaries for China: the 90th anniversary of the Long March victory and the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. In his address to diplomats and senior officials, he reflected on the enduring legacy of the Party and its army in securing national independence, propelling national development, and constructing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the modern era.
“For over a century, the CPC has steered the Chinese people and its armed forces toward extraordinary achievements—uniting the nation, driving progress, and shaping a distinctly Chinese socialist vision for the new era.”
Against a backdrop of global turbulence, Ambassador Zhou reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to dialogue and peace. He spotlighted the four global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping—on development, security, civilization, and international governance—framed as China’s contribution to global stability and shared prosperity. Concrete examples of this cooperation were underscored: the 2024 visit of the Peace Ark, China’s hospital ship, to Gabon for its second port call, and the recent hosting of a Chinese military medical mission in Libreville, breathing fresh momentum into the defense partnership.
The evening also served as a platform to introduce Gabon to the renewed face of Chinese defense engagement: Colonel Zhang Song, the newly appointed military attaché at the Chinese embassy in Libreville.
