China commits to backing Namibia’s development priorities
BEIJING – China has committed to supporting President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s seven national development priorities through technology transfer, technical cooperation and project partnership. This is. . .
BEIJING – China has committed to supporting President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s seven national development priorities through technology transfer, technical cooperation and project partnership. This is following bilateral talks between the two countries’ leaders during the President’s State visit. The commitment was announced on Friday, following talks in Beijing between President Xi Jinping and President Nandi-Ndaitwah. The discussions elevated bilateral relations to a ‘China-Namibia Community with a Shared Future for the New Era’. The two leaders also witnessed the signing of eight cooperation agreements covering trade, education, health, vocational training, human resource development and other sectors. In a joint statement following the meeting, China said it would strengthen cooperation with Namibia to implement the President’s development priorities and support the country’s industrialisation, agricultural modernisation and Vision 2030. “China commits to strengthening cooperation with Namibia to advance the seven priority areas identified by President Nandi-Ndaitwah through technical cooperation, technology transfer, project partnerships and development-oriented collaboration,” the statement said. China also pledged to encourage more Chinese companies to invest in Namibia, increase local procurement, create employment opportunities for Namibians and support skills transfer. The two countries further agreed to expand cooperation across oil and gas, renewable energy, mining, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, science and technology, digital transformation, artificial intelligence and human resource development. During the bilateral meeting, Xi described Namibia and China’s relationship as having evolved from political friendship to practical cooperation. “Since we established diplomatic ties in 1990, the two countries have always treated each other as equals and supported each other,” Xi said. “Our friendly cooperation has been extended to above the sky and beneath the ground,” he said. He added that, “above the sky” refers to China’s space-tracking and command station in Namibia, while “beneath the ground” refers to cooperation in the mining sector. He said the two countries had agreed to elevate their bilateral relations because the partnership had continued to deepen over the years “to deepen China-Namibia friendship and cooperation is opportune and promising”. Nandi-Ndaitwah thanked Xi for inviting her to China, saying the visit strengthened the long-standing relationship between the two countries. “I want to sincerely thank you for the hospitality we have received since we arrived,” she said. The President said Namibia values its relationship with China, describing it as one built on solidarity during Namibia’s liberation struggle. “Namibia reaffirms its unwavering commitment to this long-standing friendship between Namibia and China. This commitment is founded on solidarity forged during Namibia’s liberation struggle and on mutual respect, sovereign equality of states and a shared aspiration for peace and development,” she said. Nandi-Ndaitwah also praised China’s economic transformation after visiting several provinces en route to Beijing. “We have learned a lot. I really want to congratulate you on what you have done in transforming the Chinese economy for the betterment of the lives of the Chinese,” she said. She stated that the large Namibian delegation accompanying her reflected the importance the country places on relations with China. “My delegation is accompanied by several ministers, three members of Parliament, one regional governor, government officials and over 100 business personalities. This is really showing how we value our cooperation,” she said. Beyond expanding economic cooperation, the joint statement commits both countries to strengthen cooperation in education, healthcare, tourism, logistics, trade, critical minerals, security, digital technology and people-to-people exchanges. The two governments also agreed to promote local processing and value addition of Namibia’s mineral resources, including uranium, lithium and rare earth elements, as well as to encourage technology transfer and industrial capacity building. President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s State visit to China, at the invitation of President Xi, ran from 5 to 11 July. During the visit, the two Heads of State held bilateral talks and witnessed the signing of eight cooperation agreements to strengthen relations between Namibia and China. [email protected]