The China-Gabon Friendship Hall, an "Overseas Chinese International Cultural Exchange Bases" in Shanfu Town, Lucheng District, Wenzhou, is an iconic landmark of Wenzhou, that shows the strong cultural ties between China and African countries. 

The China-Gabon Friendship Hall is located in Yitou Yiyang Village, Shanfu Town, next to Jean Ping's ancestral residence. Jean Ping, born in Gabon in 1942, is the son of Cheng Zhiping, an overseas Chinese of Wenzhou descent. Jean Ping’s mother is the daughter of a Gabonese tribal chief. He was the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Gabon, the President of the 59th UN General Assembly, and the president of the African Union Commission.

Recently, a group of foreign friends from African countries visited this hall and explored the history behind it. In this Friendship Hall, the group of foreign guests learned about the life journey of Jean Ping’s father Cheng Zhiping who traveled to Europe and Africa, and finally settled down in Gabon, as well as the records of Jean Ping’s diplomatic career in Gabon and Africa, and the historical scene of Jean Ping returning to Wenzhou and visiting his Chinese relatives. 

Elly, from Tanzania, is an international volunteer at Wenzhou Daily. He said that he is now studying civil engineering at Wenzhou University. He loves Wenzhou very much. A few days before the tour to the hall, he learned that there was a Sino-African cultural exchange activity here, he signed up with his friends immediately. In the China-Gabon Friendship Hall, they learned about the profound friendship between China and Africa. He was very much moved to have such kind of an opportunity to participate in this fun-filled cultural event. He firmly confirmed that in the future, he and his colleagues will come here again to enjoy the beautiful landscape of the surrounding countryside. 

After leaving the China-Gabon Friendship Hall, the African friends visited Jean Ping’s ancestral residence. This is a typical Wenzhou residence built in the late Qing Dynasty. It has a history of more than 100 years and consists of a gate, a side room, and the main house. This well-preserved old building amazed those foreign guests a lot.

Editor: Ye Ke