China-Namibia ties built on mutual trust

China and Namibia are bolstering their bilateral ties through a series of cooperative projects, with a particular focus on areas such as infrastructure, energy and natural resources.

One of the notable examples symbolizing the deepening of economic and infrastructural cooperation between the two nations is the Kunene-Omatando substation project and interconnector overhead transmission line, handed over for use by Chinese builders last autumn.

Constructed by Beijing-based Sinohydro Corporation, the project includes a new 400-kilovolt substation at Kunene, located about 30 kilometers south of the Angola-Namibia border at the Ruacana Hydroelectric Power Station, and the upgrading of the existing 400-kV substation at Omatando in Ongwediva. As a critical component of the northern Namibia power grid, it significantly enhances the region's power supply capacity and stability, supports local economic and social development, and facilitates electricity supply to southern Angolan towns.

The project is also a vital hub in the interconnection of Namibia's power network with those of South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Tom Alweendo, Namibia's minister of mines and energy, said the project will provide electricity to various regions of Namibia and strengthen the power transmission infrastructure between Namibia and Angola, facilitating the import and export of electricity between them while promoting regional integration.

Zhang Xiaojun, a representative from Sinohydro, said that since the project began in June 2021, the implementation team has overcome numerous challenges to deliver high-quality results. The project has boosted the local communities' economic prosperity, created employment opportunities for over 300 locals and trained a group of skilled technical workers. Kahenge Haulofu, managing director of Namibia's power utility, NamPower, described the project as the largest collaboration project between the company and a Chinese enterprise.

In addition to infrastructure construction, the mining operation serves as a pillar of China-Namibia bilateral relations. Rich in a variety of mineral resources, Namibia, on the coasts of southwest Africa, is renowned for its abundant deposits of diamonds, uranium, gold and base metals such as copper, lead and zinc. Located in the Namib Desert near the town of Arandis, the R?ssing operation is the longest-running and one of the largest open pit uranium mines in the world. The R?ssing uranium mine was opened in 1976 by Rio Tinto Group, a major British-Australian multinational mining corporation, which held the majority stake for many years. In 2019, China National Uranium Corporation, a subsidiary of China National Nuclear Corporation, acquired a majority stake in R?ssing from Rio Tinto.

At a conference themed "Namibian Natural Uranium Sustainable Development" held recently in Windhoek, Namibia, Zhang Kai, deputy general manager of CNNC, emphasized the African country's critical role as one of the world's leading uranium resources and its significant effect on global nuclear energy development. He expressed hope to further leverage the R?ssing uranium mine as a "bridgehead" for overseas uranium resource development while deepening cooperation in uranium resources, strengthening resource sharing and achieving mutual benefits.

During the conference, Alweendo fully acknowledged CNNC's efforts in promoting sustainable development of Namibia's natural uranium resources and expressed his hope for deeper cooperation to inject momentum into the country's economic and social development. He noted that in 2023, the mining industry contributed 14.4 percent of Namibia's GDP, and China's investment in Namibia's mining sector has significantly contributed to the country, becoming one of the world's largest uranium producers.

Zhao Weiping, China's ambassador to Namibia, said that more Chinese companies will seek investment opportunities there this year, adding that China's investment in Namibia aligns with the interests of both countries and their peoples and that the future of bilateral cooperation is bright.

Promoting the Belt and Road Initiative has also had a significant influence on Namibia's economic development and is a key factor for the further growth of Namibia and other African economies, said Sikongo Haihambo, executive director of the Namibian Ministry of Industrialization and Trade. Haihambo noted that roads are essential for facilitating the movement of people and goods between countries and continents, bringing tangible benefits. "There's a saying in China that I find impressive: 'To get rich, build roads first'. Without convenient roads, the flow of people and goods would be impossible," he said.

Haihambo said the ports, roads and railways built by Chinese companies in Namibia are crucial for the country's economic growth and have also driven economic development in neighboring countries such as Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. "We welcome more Chinese companies and individuals to invest in Namibia, creating more jobs for locals and achieving mutual benefits," he said, adding Namibia could learn from the world's second-largest economy, China, "not only by gaining valuable experience but also by directly benefiting from it, which would help Namibia achieve industrialization sooner. China is a trustworthy and longstanding friend".

When discussing how Chinese companies can continue contributing to economic development in African countries, Haihambo said the African Continental Free Trade Area and the high-quality construction of the BRI complement each other. He hopes that with the help of Chinese partners, the proportion of intra-African trade will increase from the current level of less than 20 percent to one similar to or higher than other continents, improving the basic living standards of the African population.

China and Namibia established diplomatic relations on March 22,1990. Since then, the relationship between the two countries has developed smoothly, with frequent high-level exchanges. China has completed several aid projects in Namibia, including well drilling, affordable houses, children's activity centers, rural schools, youth training centers, irrigation projects and aquaculture centers. In 1994, the two countries signed a trade agreement, and in 2004 they established a joint economic and trade commission mechanism, holding its second meeting in April 2007 and its third in March 2018.