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Gabon President’s Trip to Beijing Highlights Two Important Trends in Chinese Diplomacy

by Eric Olander
Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba arrived in Beijing this week and will be the first African head of state to meet with Xi Jinping since the Chinese President secured another five year term. Images via Présidence de la République Gabonaise.

The arrival of Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba in Beijing this week may seem at odds with the dozens of other leaders from much larger, far more powerful countries who’ve traveled to China this year to meet with President Xi Jinping.

In just the past few weeks alone, Xi has welcomed heads of state from France, Spain, Malaysia, and Singapore among others.

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