President Hu Jintao arrived in Namibia's capital Windhoek
Monday, starting his state visit to the Southern African
country.
In Windhoek, Hu is expected to hold talks with Namibian
President Hifikepunye Pohamba on strengthening bilateral ties.
In a written statement released at the airport upon his arrival,
Hu said that Namibia is one of the youngest countries in Africa.
The Namibian people, hardworking, talented and full of vitality,
won national independence in 1990 through arduous struggles and
have since achieved great success in national development.
"From the very beginning of Namibia's national liberation
struggle, the Chinese and Namibian peoples have sympathized with
and supported each other, forging a profound friendship," he
said.
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 17 years ago, the
relationship between China and Namibia has been growing steadily,
with fruitful cooperation in the political, economic, education,
public health, cultural and other fields, he said.
"I look forward to having an in-depth exchange of views with the
Namibian leaders on the bilateral relationship, the Forum on
China-Africa Cooperation and other major issues of mutual
interest," he said.
Since China and Namibia forged diplomatic relations in 1990, the
two countries have witnessed steady development of friendly
cooperation with bilateral trade growing constantly.
According to figures from the Chinese Embassy in Namibia,
two-way trade hit US$240 million during the first 11 months of
2006.
Namibia is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in the
fields of industry, human resources and infrastructure
construction.
President Hu flew into Namibia from the Zambian capital of
Lusaka where he had paid a state visit.
Hu is on an eight-nation Africa tour that has already brought
him to Cameroon, Liberia, Sudan and Zambia, and he will continue to
visit South Africa, Mozambique and the Seychelles after
Namibia.
(Xinhua News Agency February 6, 2007)
