China and Namibia have decided to take a qualitative leap in their bilateral ties with the creation of a China-Namibia community with a shared future for the new era. The announcement was made this Friday following the meeting held in Beijing between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
During the meeting, Xi emphasized that the relationship between the two countries is based on a "deep traditional friendship" and shared development goals. He also recalled that, since diplomatic relations were established, Beijing and Windhoek have "always treated each other as equals and supported each other," according to the official Chinese agency Xinhua.
The Chinese leader highlighted that bilateral cooperation has been expanding over time, generating concrete benefits for the populations of both states. He also reiterated China's willingness to deepen the exchange of experiences in development and to align their respective modernization strategies.
In this context, Xi outlined three main pillars to promote the new phase of the relationship. Firstly, he advocated for intensifying high-level political contacts, strengthening the exchange of experiences in governance, and maintaining a fluid dialogue on strategic issues of shared interest, in addition to continuing to provide reciprocal support on matters that each country considers fundamental.
In parallel, he called for making the most of economic cooperation opportunities, encouraging Namibia to take advantage of the commercial benefits offered by China, such as zero-tariff access for certain products and mechanisms designed to facilitate Namibian exports to the Chinese market.
Xi also reiterated his government's intention to deepen collaboration in key sectors such as infrastructure, energy, mining, agriculture, education, youth, science, and technology.
In the international arena, the Chinese president defended the need to strengthen coordination between the two countries to safeguard multilateralism. He also assured that China will continue to work with African countries, including Namibia, to increase the weight of the Global South and move towards "a community of shared future for humanity."
In relation to mining, Xi has underlined that the sustainable use of African natural resources is an essential component for accelerating the modernization of the continent. In this regard, he has reiterated Beijing's willingness to continue promoting mining cooperation with African states under three principles: mutual benefit, friendly consultations to resolve differences through dialogue, and the search for new formulas of collaboration adjusted to commercial and market criteria.
For her part, Nandi-Ndaitwah has congratulated China on the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party and has reiterated Namibia's support for the "one China" principle.
The Namibian leader has also expressed her country's interest in attracting more investment from Chinese companies and in expanding cooperation in areas such as industry, mining, infrastructure, aviation and space, science and technology, agriculture, and water resource management.
Nandi-Ndaitwah has expressed her gratitude for the support that China has provided to African countries in recent decades and has praised Beijing's stance, which she has described as just, on international and regional affairs.
In line with this, she has assured that Namibia will strengthen its coordination with China to defend the shared interests of developing countries and to jointly advance towards "a community of shared future for humanity."
At the end of the meeting, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of several cooperation agreements in economy and trade, health, education, and human resources, as well as a joint declaration for the creation of the China-Namibia community with a shared future for the new era.
The official visit began with a welcome ceremony led by Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, to receive Nandi-Ndaitwah and her husband, Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah. Subsequently, the Chinese president and the first lady hosted an official banquet in honor of the Namibian delegation.