Namibia and China: An enduring bilateral relationship
Relationship growing from strength to strength
Namibia has tapped into China's expertise in areas such as infrastructure, sustainable development, human resources, technology, poverty reduction, people-to-people exchanges and major cooperation projects.
Namibia and China's bilateral relationship extends beyond political and economic ties, fostering deep people-to-people connections that have solidified their enduring partnership.
In 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted his Namibian counterpart, President Hage Geingob, which led to the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between the two countries. The comprehensive strategic partnership is the highest level of engagement China can have with any country.
The new, elevated partnership means there will be comprehensive consultations, discussions, strategic planning and objectives – a partnership of equals, accountability and transparency between the two countries.
In the same year, China and Namibia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Under this concept, development assistance cooperation has resulted in the 2B section of the new 20 km road to the Hosea Kutako International Airport, funded through a Chinese grant of N$1 billion.
The upgrade project of four schools in the Kavango West and Zambezi regions, through a Chinese grant of about N$220 million, also formed part of the BRI, as did the construction of a satellite data receiving station, which started recently in Windhoek, Namibia's capital.
Best friends
President Geingob often refers to China as "the best friend of Africa", and sees the Asian nation as of great importance to Namibia’s own socio-economic agenda. Namibia has been tapping into China’s expertise in areas such as infrastructure, sustainable development, human resources, technology, poverty reduction, people-to-people exchanges and major cooperation projects.
The people-to-people relationship between Namibia and China has flourished over the years, playing a vital role in strengthening bilateral ties. Chinese communities have found a home in Namibia, while numerous Namibians have pursued studies or employment opportunities in China.
Despite the geographical distance, these close connections have transcended borders, bringing the two nations closer together.
Strength to strength
Namibia’s executive director in the ministry of international relations and cooperation, Penda Naanda, reflected on the bilateral relations that date back decades.
"Since the [1960s], Namibia and China have enjoyed many years of friendship, and the bilateral relationship between the two countries has grown from strength to strength."
Naanda said the relationship is based on mutual benefits, reciprocity and common prosperity.
"It can be further concluded that official diplomatic relations between Namibia and China were cemented on 22 March 1990, a day after Namibia hosted its independence celebration," he added.
Namibia's active participation in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) further underscores the significance of people-to-people relations. As a member of FOCAC since its inception, Namibia has actively engaged in discussions and joint projects, contributing to economic and social development in Africa.
FOCAC serves as a vital platform for dialogue and cooperation between China and African countries, fostering strong relationships between the people of Namibia and China.
In terms of education, Chinese-sponsored scholarships have played a crucial role in strengthening people-to-people ties between Namibia and China. Since 2007, China has been providing fully-funded scholarships to Namibian students, opening doors to educational opportunities in China. These scholarships not only promote academic exchange but also foster cultural understanding and personal connections.
Additionally, Namibia and China have established numerous municipal agreements, further enhancing people-to-people relations. Twin town agreements, such as Windhoek with Shanghai, Mariental with Zhengzhou, and Okahandja with Maqiao, facilitate cultural and economic exchanges between cities, fostering greater understanding and cooperation.
Tapping into the future
Furthermore, bilateral trade agreements have been signed, including an annex featuring a list of 12 products that Namibian businesses are encouraged to export to China. These agreements promote economic ties, creating opportunities for people-to-people exchanges in the business and trade sectors.
"Namibia’s policy on international relations and cooperation underscores the importance of building close relations with China. It further states that Namibia will broaden cooperation in the areas of industrialisation, human resource development, technology transfer, tourism, trade and investment. It is recommended that Namibians need to engage in more open, frank and informed discussions about Chinese investment and activities in Namibia," Naanda said.
The enduring people-to-people friendship between Namibia and China stands as a testament to their shared commitment to progress and mutual benefit. By fostering cultural understanding, promoting educational opportunities, and facilitating city-to-city exchanges, the two nations have solidified their relationship.
"The China-Namibia relationship is based on profound traditional friendship and deep mutual trust, which benefits both countries and has enormous potential for future development. China will continue to be Namibia's reliable partner and is ready to deepen bilateral cooperation with Namibia in all the important areas of Namibia's social and economic development," Chinese ambassador to Namibia Zhao Weiping remarked.
In 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted his Namibian counterpart, President Hage Geingob, which led to the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between the two countries. The comprehensive strategic partnership is the highest level of engagement China can have with any country.
The new, elevated partnership means there will be comprehensive consultations, discussions, strategic planning and objectives – a partnership of equals, accountability and transparency between the two countries.
In the same year, China and Namibia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Under this concept, development assistance cooperation has resulted in the 2B section of the new 20 km road to the Hosea Kutako International Airport, funded through a Chinese grant of N$1 billion.
The upgrade project of four schools in the Kavango West and Zambezi regions, through a Chinese grant of about N$220 million, also formed part of the BRI, as did the construction of a satellite data receiving station, which started recently in Windhoek, Namibia's capital.
Best friends
President Geingob often refers to China as "the best friend of Africa", and sees the Asian nation as of great importance to Namibia’s own socio-economic agenda. Namibia has been tapping into China’s expertise in areas such as infrastructure, sustainable development, human resources, technology, poverty reduction, people-to-people exchanges and major cooperation projects.
The people-to-people relationship between Namibia and China has flourished over the years, playing a vital role in strengthening bilateral ties. Chinese communities have found a home in Namibia, while numerous Namibians have pursued studies or employment opportunities in China.
Despite the geographical distance, these close connections have transcended borders, bringing the two nations closer together.
Strength to strength
Namibia’s executive director in the ministry of international relations and cooperation, Penda Naanda, reflected on the bilateral relations that date back decades.
"Since the [1960s], Namibia and China have enjoyed many years of friendship, and the bilateral relationship between the two countries has grown from strength to strength."
Naanda said the relationship is based on mutual benefits, reciprocity and common prosperity.
"It can be further concluded that official diplomatic relations between Namibia and China were cemented on 22 March 1990, a day after Namibia hosted its independence celebration," he added.
Namibia's active participation in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) further underscores the significance of people-to-people relations. As a member of FOCAC since its inception, Namibia has actively engaged in discussions and joint projects, contributing to economic and social development in Africa.
FOCAC serves as a vital platform for dialogue and cooperation between China and African countries, fostering strong relationships between the people of Namibia and China.
In terms of education, Chinese-sponsored scholarships have played a crucial role in strengthening people-to-people ties between Namibia and China. Since 2007, China has been providing fully-funded scholarships to Namibian students, opening doors to educational opportunities in China. These scholarships not only promote academic exchange but also foster cultural understanding and personal connections.
Additionally, Namibia and China have established numerous municipal agreements, further enhancing people-to-people relations. Twin town agreements, such as Windhoek with Shanghai, Mariental with Zhengzhou, and Okahandja with Maqiao, facilitate cultural and economic exchanges between cities, fostering greater understanding and cooperation.
Tapping into the future
Furthermore, bilateral trade agreements have been signed, including an annex featuring a list of 12 products that Namibian businesses are encouraged to export to China. These agreements promote economic ties, creating opportunities for people-to-people exchanges in the business and trade sectors.
"Namibia’s policy on international relations and cooperation underscores the importance of building close relations with China. It further states that Namibia will broaden cooperation in the areas of industrialisation, human resource development, technology transfer, tourism, trade and investment. It is recommended that Namibians need to engage in more open, frank and informed discussions about Chinese investment and activities in Namibia," Naanda said.
The enduring people-to-people friendship between Namibia and China stands as a testament to their shared commitment to progress and mutual benefit. By fostering cultural understanding, promoting educational opportunities, and facilitating city-to-city exchanges, the two nations have solidified their relationship.
"The China-Namibia relationship is based on profound traditional friendship and deep mutual trust, which benefits both countries and has enormous potential for future development. China will continue to be Namibia's reliable partner and is ready to deepen bilateral cooperation with Namibia in all the important areas of Namibia's social and economic development," Chinese ambassador to Namibia Zhao Weiping remarked.
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