Namibian President's China visit strengthens historic partnership
via The Namibian4 min read
Namibia's former ambassador to China, Elia Kaiyamo, highlighted the significance of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's official visit to China, her first outside Africa as president. The visit, undertaken in her dual capacity as Namibia's president and Swapo president, reaffirms Namibia's commitment to the One China Policy and coincides with the Communist Party of China's 105th anniversary, underscoring enduring political ties. Kaiyamo noted the visit's start in Guangzhou, a former commercial hub for Namibian entrepreneurs, as an acknowledgment of people-to-people ties. He traced the historical friendship back to China's support for African liberation movements, including Swapo, despite its own challenges. Sam Nujoma's 1965 visit to China secured assistance for Swapo's struggle, leading to the construction of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway, or Freedom Railway, with Chinese financing and expertise. Many Namibian leaders benefited from this support, and African countries, including Swapo, backed China's bid for a UN seat in 1971. The relationship has evolved beyond liberation to development, trade, and economic transformation, with China training Namibians and investing in infrastructure, while Namibia provides natural resources. President Nandi-Ndaitwah's focus on industrialization, employment, and improved quality of life aligns with the sixth National Development Plan. Kaiyamo emphasized the need for value addition, technology transfer, skills development, manufacturing, and in
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