China, Gabon should progress in political, economic ties: Xi

China and central African country Gabon should harness their mutual trust and complementary economies to benefit people of both nations, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday.

Xi made the remarks while meeting with Gabon's President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who is paying his twelfth visit to China.

Xi said he was impressed by Bongo's previous words of aiming to surpass his father's record of times to visit China.

His father, Omar Bongo Ondimba, also served as president and visited China 11 times between 1974 and 2009.

Xi said Bongo's decision to choose China as the first country beyond Africa to pay a state visit after his re-election in August showed a firm commitment to develop ties with China.

China is currently Gabon's largest trade partner and an important investment source.

In December last year, Xi and Bongo met in the lead up to a summit on China-Africa co-operation in Johannesburg, in South Africa.

Bongo said that Gabon would welcome more Chinese investment, especially in the manufacturing industry, to create more jobs.

Some Chinese companies have already invested in high-end wood processing in Gabon.

Manufacturing and processing industries are important sectors for Gabon, Bongo told Xinhua News Agency earlier this month.