The Government of the Republic of Gabon and the Government of the People's Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as "the Contracting Parties"), desirous of strengthening friendly relations and promoting exchanges between their two countries in the sphere of culture, education, science, sports, tourism and mass media, have decided to conclude the present Agreement, the provisions of which are as follows:

Article 1

The Contracting Parties, in accordance with the principles of equality and mutual benefit, agree to promote exchanges and cooperation in the fields of culture, education, science, sports, publication and mass media.

Article 2

The Contracting Parties agree to implement the following exchanges and cooperation in the sphere of culture and art:

(a) Reciprocal visits of writers and artists;
(b) Exchange of performing tours by troupes of artists;
(c) Exchange of cultural and art exhibitions.

Article 3

The Contracting Parties agree to implement the following program of exchanges and cooperation in the field of education:

(a) Promoting the exchange of visits and lecture tours by teachers, researchers and experts;
(b) Providing the quota of scholarships to each other's students according to needs and possibilities;
(c) Promoting and encouraging the establishment of direct contacts and cooperation between institutions of higher learning of the two countries;
(d) Encouraging the exchanges of textbooks and other educational books and materials between the educational institutions of the two countries;
(e) Encouraging the attendance by scholars or experts of each other's country at international academic meetings held in the other country.

Article 4

The Contracting Parties agree to encourage the translation and publication of outstanding works of literature and art of each other's country, and the exchange of books, magazines and other materials on culture and art.

Article 5

The Contracting Parties agree to promote cooperation between sports organizations of the two countries including the exchange where possible, of athletes, coaches and sports teams to each other's country for friendly visits and competitions and for exchange of techniques.

Article 6

The Contracting Parties agree to implement exchanges and cooperation in the fields of the press, broadcasting, television and the cinema.

Article 7

The Contracting Parties agree to implement the exchanges in the fields of the social sciences including the exchange of visits and lecture tours by social scientists and exchange of relevant materials.

Article 8

The Contracting Parties shall encourage exchanges and cooperation between the libraries, museums and other cultural institutions of the two countries.

Article 9

The Contracting Parties shall promote and endeavor to facilitate each other's tourism industry.

Article 10

With a view to implementing the present Agreement, the Contracting Parties agree that the biyearly executive programs of cultural exchanges shall be agreed on separately. All expenses related to this Agreement shall be dealt with on the basis of equality.

Article 11

The Contracting Parties shall endeavor to settle all disputes generated from explaining or implementing this Agreement through diplomatic channels.

Article 12

This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of signature and the Contracting Parties shall begin implementing their respective legal procedures and inform each other of it. This Agreement shall remain valid for a period of four (4) years. Thereafter it shall be automatically renewed for successive periods of four (4) years unless either Contracting Party requests its termination by written notice to the other served at least six (6) months prior to the date of expiration. This Agreement, approved by both Parties, can be emended or modified at any time when possible.

Done in Libreville on May 26th, 1984. In duplicate in Chinese and French languages, both texts being equally authentic.