Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has concluded her State Visit to China, with Namibia and China agreeing to elevate bilateral ties to a “Namibia–China Community with a Shared Future for the New Era” while expanding cooperation across trade, investment, industrialisation, infrastructure, security and people-to-people exchanges.
The President departed Beijing after a week-long visit during which she held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Zhao Leji.
In a joint statement issued at the end of the visit, the two countries reaffirmed their longstanding friendship and committed to strengthening cooperation under what they described as “new circumstances” to advance their shared development goals.
Photos: Namibian Presidency
The two sides agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a Namibia–China Community with a Shared Future for the New Era, building on the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership established in 2018.
Namibia reiterated its commitment to the One-China principle and expressed support for China’s efforts towards national reunification, while both countries pledged to deepen political dialogue and cooperation between their governments, legislatures and political parties.
China also reaffirmed its support for Namibia’s development agenda, including the implementation of the Sixth National Development Plan and Vision 2030, through technical cooperation, technology transfer and development partnerships.
Economically, both countries agreed to expand cooperation in trade, investment and industrialisation, with particular emphasis on value addition, mineral beneficiation, agriculture, renewable energy, oil and gas, logistics, digital transformation and manufacturing.
Namibia welcomed China’s zero-tariff treatment for qualifying African exports, saying it would create opportunities to expand exports, attract investment and create jobs.
The two countries also agreed to strengthen cooperation in customs, food safety, inspection and quarantine, while exploring an economic partnership framework to provide long-term certainty for trade and investment.
They further committed to encouraging Chinese investment in Namibia, promoting local procurement, job creation and skills transfer, while ensuring a stable and secure business environment for investors.
The joint statement also outlined plans to strengthen cooperation in critical minerals, logistics centred on the Port of Walvis Bay, green energy, artificial intelligence, telecommunications, education, healthcare and tourism.
On security, Namibia and China reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful conflict resolution, multilateralism and cooperation in defence, personnel training and regional peace and security.
The two countries also agreed to expand cooperation in education, culture, tourism, media, sports, healthcare and human resource development through scholarships, technical training and medical partnerships.
At the global level, Namibia and China pledged to work together to promote reforms of international governance institutions, including the United Nations Security Council, while advocating for greater representation of developing countries, particularly Africa.
The visit concluded with the two Heads of State witnessing the signing of several bilateral cooperation agreements.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah also invited President Xi Jinping to undertake a State Visit to Namibia at a mutually convenient time.
