China’s foreign minister starts tour of Africa in Namibia

CGTN Europe

China’s foreign minister Wang Yi has kicked off his visit to Africa in Namibia, Beijing’s second largest trading partner on the continent.   Trade has increased over the years, particularly in mineral resources including uranium.   Our correspondent reports explains why trade ties are thriving between the two countries.

Transcript

00:00Since diplomatic relations between China and Namibia were established all those decades ago,

00:05the relationship has gone from strength to strength.

00:08Beijing is the African country's second largest trading partner and a key source of foreign investment.

00:14Our correspondent Nick Mudimba reports.

00:17China and Namibia established relations on 22nd March 1990, the day after Namibia's independence.

00:25Over the years the two sides have continued to bolster bilateral ties through a series of cooperative projects

00:31with a particular focus on areas such as infrastructure, energy and natural resources.

00:36Bilateral trade reached 1.4 billion US dollars last year

00:40and China accounts for about 30% of the total foreign direct investment in Namibia.

00:47The trade has increased over the years,

00:51especially in terms of exports.

00:55It's mostly mineral resources.

00:59As some might be aware, Namibia is rich in mineral resources,

01:06including uranium, gold, as well as to some extent, lithium.

01:15So the export is mostly in these areas.

01:19And of late, we have seen also exporting the Namibian beef to China.

01:26Along with economic development, China has supported Namibia in its social development,

01:31bringing tangible benefits to the Namibian people.

01:34China has completed several aid projects in Namibia,

01:37including well drilling, affordable housing, children's activity centres,

01:41rural schools, youth training centres, irrigation projects and aquaculture centres.

01:46The fact that Namibia is collaborating with China,

01:50there are also interests that Namibia wants to advance.

01:55These interests are not static.

01:58As I have explained, in the 60s, it's about political relations and the fight for liberation.

02:04After independence, in Namibia, it's about development.

02:10The various grant projects by the Chinese government have contributed to Namibia's efforts

02:15to combat drought and upgrade infrastructure.

02:18China and Namibia have worked together on a number of renewable energy projects,

02:23including the 50-megawatt Serene Luderitz Wind Power Station.

02:27China was the first country to provide vaccine assistance to Namibia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

02:33Since 1996, China has sent 15 medical teams to Namibia

02:37to enhance health care services in the country.

02:40Nick Mudimba

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