China pledges grants, market access after NNN visit

Patience Makwele

China has pledged additional grant funding, expanded market access for Namibian exports and stronger investment cooperation following President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s state visit to Beijing, with both countries elevating bilateral relations to what Beijing describes as a “China-Namibia community with a shared future for the new era.”

Chinese Ambassador Zhao Weiping on Tuesday said the President’s seven-day visit had produced concrete outcomes that would deepen cooperation in agriculture, education, healthcare, trade, mining and industrialisation, while laying the foundation for increased Chinese investment in Namibia.

Addressing his first media briefing of the year, Zhao described the visit as “a complete success” that would have “far-reaching significance” for relations between the two countries, saying Presidents Xi Jinping and Nandi-Ndaitwah had agreed to strengthen political ties and expand practical cooperation across several sectors.

“The great success of this visit will for sure bring greater benefits to our two peoples,” Zhao said.