President greets Namibia's leader

Agreement on comprehensive strategic partnership reached

China should offer more help to Africa as it develops and effectively synergize its own progress with its efforts in facilitating Africa's development, President Xi Jinping told visiting Namibian President Hage Geingob on Thursday.

The goal is to further achieve mutual benefits and common development, particularly to boost the African nations' own capabilities to develop on an independent and sustained basis, Xi said in their talks on Thursday in Beijing.

Xi highlighted Beijing's commitment to its traditional ties with Africa and with Namibia as the two leaders agreed to establish the China-Namibia comprehensive strategic partnership.

Infrastructure, financing and protocols on agricultural quarantine made the highlights of the cooperative deals signed as the two leaders observed following their talks.

Geingob noted during the talks that China has never colonized or plundered Africa and it has always treated countries of small and medium sizes on an equal footing.

As China historically supported the countries' courses of justice — and continues to help their development — it is a sincere partner and friend of Africa, he said.

The African people oppose the groundless accusations against China, and Namibia supports China-African cooperation and their reinforced coordination in international affairs, Geingob said.
Xi said it is hoped the two countries reinforce exchanges, mutual trust, reciprocal support on their core interests and issues of major concerns.

Namibia is welcome to be part of the Belt and Road Initiative, and both sides should boost the synergy of their policies and planning, Xi said.

China will gear up cooperation with Namibia to protect wildlife and it will never assist in illegal activities such as smuggling wildlife products, Xi said.

Assistant Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong said it is natural to see the two countries upgrading their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. They made strong bonds in the 1960s, Chen said, when Namibia fought for national liberation. Their pragmatic cooperation has brought tangible benefits to both peoples, Chen said.

Geingob is on his first state visit to China. It began on Wednesday.

In an interview with Xinhua News Agency before his China trip, Geingob said Namibia would like to "see more direct investment by Chinese companies to assist in expanding the productive capacity of our economy instead of participating as contractors".

During his visit, the two sides have scheduled the third meeting of the bilateral joint committee on economy and trade, as well as a business cooperation forum gathering business leaders from both countries.

Zhang Yiming, China's ambassador to Namibia, told Namibian media recently that it is hoped the business elites of both countries will work together effectively to introduce a new chapter of China-Namibia cooperation.

Contact with the writer at zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn.