Chinese President to Namibian Counterpart: Helping Africa Develop Its Mineral Resources Is a Way to Accelerate Modernization on the Continent

Beijing, July 10 (KUNA) -- President Xi Jinping and his Namibian counterpart, Nangolo Mbumba, reaffirmed today, Friday, the need to enhance bilateral cooperation across various fields, particularly trade and mining. During their talks in Beijing, Xi stressed that helping Africa develop its rich mineral resources and transform its mineral advantages into a driving force for development “is an important way to accelerate the modernization process on the continent,” according to the Chinese News Agency (Xinhua). President Xi affirmed Beijing’s readiness to strengthen cooperation with Namibia in the mining sector on the basis of mutual benefit, friendly consultation, and market principles. He noted China’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Namibia in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, education, science, and technology, and expressed hope that Namibia would benefit from the full tariff exemption policy that China began implementing last May for 53 African countries, thereby paving the way for more Namibian products to enter the Chinese market. In a joint statement issued after the talks, both sides agreed to intensify cooperation in the development of strategic minerals, including uranium, lithium, and rare earth elements, to promote sustainable development and increase the value-added of products, as well as to establish partnerships that facilitate technology transfer, local skills development, and industrial capacity building. For her part, Mbumba said during the meeting that Namibia is ready to expand trade cooperation with China, expressing her aspirations to enhance joint cooperation in industry, mining, aviation, space, and water resources. The two presidents witnessed the signing of several cooperation documents in the fields of economy, trade, medicine and health, education, and human resources. (End) S.L.Q. / M.A.K.