Top legislator reinforces Namibia ties
Li Zhanshu meets with top officials in third, final nation on his Africa itinerary
Top legislator Li Zhanshu made an official visit to Namibia from Tuesday to Thursday at the invitation of Peter Katjavivi, speaker of the Namibian National Assembly, and called for closer cooperation between the two countries.
In the capital, Windhoek, Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, met with Namibian President Hage Geingob and former president Sam Nujoma. He also held talks with Katjavivi and Margaret Mensah-Williams, chairwoman of the Namibian National Council.
Li conveyed President Xi Jinping’s sincere greetings to Geingob and briefed him on China’s historic achievements since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China as well as the formation, content and significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
Li said Geingob’s visit to China in March has opened a new era for China-Namibia relations. During the visit, the two presidents decided to elevate ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation.
Li voiced China’s hope that the two sides will work together to step up communication on policy and alignment of development plans within the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and boost cooperation on infrastructure construction and industrial capacity to better benefit the people of the two countries.
The top legislator said China appreciates Namibia’s push to safeguard the unity of Africa and stands ready to enhance communication and coordination with Namibia in international and regional affairs.
Li expounded China’s principles and stance on some world hot-spot issues and provided details of Xi’s efforts to alleviate tensions and help realize denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Referring to the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, Li said all countries are interdependent against the backdrop of globalization, and that they should treat each other equally and work together to safeguard peace and development and address common challenges.
China is willing to work with Namibia to continuously release new vigor of the friendship forged by the elder generation of leaders of the two countries, and China will support and assist Namibia and other African countries in their push for developing their economies and improving people’s livelihood along a path suitable for their own national conditions, Li said. This is with a view to realizing the rise of Africa, a historical development miracle, he said.
Geingob said Namibia and China not only enjoy deep traditional friendship, but also treat each other as equal partners.
Namibian people are clear that China is a true friend and good partner, the president said, noting that Namibia looks forward to maintaining close, high-level interactions and boosting practical cooperation on trade and investment, infrastructure construction and exploitation of energy resources to ensure the road of thecomprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation will get broader and broader.
When meeting with Nujoma, Li extended Xi’s greetings to the founding father of Namibia. The top legislator spoke