Chinese premier meets Namibian president in Beijing

Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in Beijing on Thursday.

Noting that Namibia is an important partner of China in Africa, Li said China is willing to work with Namibia to carry forward traditional friendship, firmly support each other's core interests and major concerns, and promote mutually beneficial cooperation, in order to advance the modernization of the two countries.

Li called on both sides to enhance alignment of development strategies, expand the scale of bilateral trade, and strengthen cooperation in infrastructure construction, mining, oil and gas, new energy, and other fields. China stands ready to import more high-quality agricultural and fishery products from Namibia, support capable Chinese enterprises to invest in Namibia, and encourage Namibia to fully leverage China's zero-tariff and other policies to expand exports to China, Li added.

The two sides should deepen exchanges and cooperation in areas such as tourism, health, education, science and technology, and youth, said Li, adding that China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Namibia under mechanisms such as the United Nations and work with all parties to promote true multilateralism, implement the four major global initiatives proposed by China, advance an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is on a state visit to China, said the Namibian side always remembers the valuable assistance China provided to Namibia in its pursuit of national independence and development.

Noting that the current momentum in bilateral ties is strong, she said Namibia firmly adheres to the one-China principle and looks forward to working with China to achieve more in the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Namibia and China and to better benefit the two peoples.

Namibia attaches great importance to China's important role and influence in international affairs and is willing to strengthen multilateral communication and coordination with China to promote regional peace, stability and development, said Nandi-Ndaitwah.