China and Namibia Expand Cooperation on Digital Transformation and Innovation

On the afternoon of July 10, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who was on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Before the talks, President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan posed for a photograph with President Nandi-Ndaitwah and her husband Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah. The two leaders jointly announced the elevation of bilateral relations to a China-Namibia community with a shared future in the new era.

President Xi noted that China and Namibia enjoy a profound traditional friendship and share common aspirations for development. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have always treated each other as equals, supported one another, and continuously deepened their friendly cooperation, bringing tangible benefits to both peoples.

Xi stated that the Communist Party of China is uniting and leading the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in advancing the building of a strong country and national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization, while Namibia is progressing toward its Vision 2030 goals. This presents a timely opportunity and promising prospects for further deepening bilateral cooperation. China is willing to strengthen exchanges on development philosophies and align development strategies with Namibia, working together toward modernization.

President Xi put forward three proposals for building a China-Namibia community with a shared future in the new era.

First, strengthen mutual support and deepen the alignment of development philosophies. Both sides should maintain close high-level exchanges, deepen the sharing of governance experience, and conduct regular communication on overarching and strategic issues concerning bilateral relations. They should continue to support each other on issues involving their respective core interests and major concerns.

Second, unlock cooperation potential and enhance the quality of cooperation. China has implemented zero-tariff measures for all 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations. This represents a major initiative in expanding China's high-standard opening-up and provides timely support for African countries seeking to accelerate their development.

Xi expressed hope that Namibia would fully utilize the zero-tariff policy, the upgraded "green channel" for exports to China, and other preferential measures to enable more high-quality Namibian products to enter the Chinese market more quickly. China is willing to deepen cooperation with Namibia in infrastructure development, energy, mining, agriculture, education, youth affairs, science and technology, and other fields, continuously elevating mutually beneficial cooperation to new heights.

Third, strengthen solidarity and coordination to uphold multilateralism. As important members of the Global South, China and Namibia share extensive common interests and similar values. Both countries should strengthen solidarity and coordination, firmly support each other, and jointly safeguard international fairness and justice. China is willing to continue strengthening coordination and cooperation with Namibia and other African countries, enhancing the collective voice and influence of the Global South and making new contributions to building a community with a shared future for humanity.

President Xi emphasized that helping African countries develop their abundant mineral resources and effectively transform resource advantages into drivers of economic development is an important pathway toward accelerating Africa's modernization.

China is willing to continue strengthening mining cooperation with Namibia and other African countries, guided by three key principles.

First, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. Africa possesses abundant natural resources, while China has advanced technologies and a vast market. Both sides should fully leverage their complementary strengths and deepen their shared economic interests.

Second, friendly consultation. Strong political mutual trust is a distinctive advantage and an important guarantee of China-Africa cooperation. Both sides should approach cooperation from the broader perspective of China-Africa friendship and properly address issues through communication and consultation.

Third, innovation and progress. China is willing to work with African countries to develop innovative approaches to cooperation based on market-oriented and commercial principles, continuously improving the quality and effectiveness of China-Africa mining cooperation.

Image: On the afternoon of July 10, President Xi Jinping held talks with Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who was on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah stated that the friendship between Namibia and China has a long history and that bilateral relations have maintained a high level of development over the years.

She extended warm congratulations on the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. She described China as a great country and praised the remarkable achievements made in its economic and social development under President Xi Jinping's leadership.

Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized that Namibia attaches great importance to its relations with China and firmly adheres to the one-China principle. Namibia is willing to learn from China's development experience, strengthen solidarity, consolidate mutual trust, and expand cooperation to achieve greater progress in the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.

She expressed the willingness of the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) to strengthen inter-party exchanges, communication, and cooperation with the Communist Party of China.

Namibia hopes to expand trade with China and welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and operate in the country. It looks forward to strengthening cooperation in industry, mining, infrastructure, aerospace, science and technology, agriculture, water resources, and other areas to support Namibia's economic and social development.

Nandi-Ndaitwah noted that China has long provided generous support and assistance to African countries, including Namibia, and has maintained a fair position on international and regional affairs. Namibia is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China, safeguard the common interests of developing countries, and jointly promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Following the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents covering economic and trade relations, healthcare, education, human resources, and other fields.

The two sides also issued the Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Namibia on Building a China-Namibia Community with a Shared Future in the New Era.

Image: On the afternoon of July 10, President Xi Jinping held talks with Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Before the talks, President Xi held a welcoming ceremony for President Nandi-Ndaitwah in the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Image: On the afternoon of July 10, President Xi Jinping held talks with Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Before the talks, President Xi held a welcoming ceremony for President Nandi-Ndaitwah in the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Before the talks, President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcoming ceremony for President Nandi-Ndaitwah and her husband Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah in the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Upon President Nandi-Ndaitwah's arrival, an honor guard lined up to salute her. The two presidents stepped onto the reviewing platform as a military band played the national anthems of China and Namibia, accompanied by a 21-gun salute at Tiananmen Square.

Accompanied by President Xi, President Nandi-Ndaitwah inspected the honor guard of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and watched a march-past.

That evening, President Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan hosted a welcoming banquet for President Nandi-Ndaitwah and her husband in the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Source: Xinhua News Agency