China's reform and opening up during the past three decades has not only brought about the country's own development, but has contributed to the world economy's stability and prosperity, a Gabonese scholar told Xinhua in a recent interview.

China's reform and opening up are one of the most significant issues in the world in the last quarter of the 20th century, said Bernard Boussougou Moungonga, a senior researcher from Gabon's humanities research institute.

Under the guidance of reform and opening up policies, China's fast-growing economy has increased continuously. China also has wielded increasingly important international influence, he said.

Moungonga spoke particularly of the establishment of the five Special Economic Zones in southeastern and southern China in the 1980s, including Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Xiamen, Shantou and Hainan. The zones, he said, can be regarded as the pioneers of China's reform and opening up career.

By implementing reform and opening up policies, China has actively attracted foreign investments, improved imports and exports and participated in international affairs, the scholar said.

"China's reform and opening up have not only boosted its own development, but contributed to the world economy's stability and prosperity," he said.

During the process, Moungonga told Xinhua, China has sold numerous cheap and good-qualified products to the world.

Moungonga also said China has abided by independent and peaceful foreign policies during the past 30 years and has walked steadily along the road of peaceful development.

He expressed his firm belief that China will advance its reform and opening up drive and continue to aid Africa in its development.

(Xinhua News Agency December 3, 2008)