Top Chinese political advisor in Namibia to enhance ties

WINDHOEK, March 28 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin will wrap up his visit to Namibia and leave for South Africa on Sunday to continue his 10-day African tour.

Jia Qinglin (L), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), meets with Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba in Windhoek, Namibia, March 26, 2010. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

In Namibia, Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), on Friday evening delivered a speech at a reception marking the 20th anniversary of the Sino-Namibian diplomatic relationship.

In the speech, Jia made a four-point proposal for improving Sino-Namibian relations, saying that both countries should consolidate traditional friendship to deepen mutual political trust, and strengthen economic and trade cooperation to realize mutually-beneficial and win-win results.

China and Namibia should also expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges to foster their lasting friendship, and boost coordination and cooperation to enhance the common interests of both countries and all developing countries, he added.

"I first congratulate Namibia on the 20th anniversary of its full independence," said Jia, who arrived here on Thursday.

Jia reviewed bilateral ties over the past two decades, saying both countries have carried out extensive cooperation of mutual benefit.

"The political relations between both countries are getting increasingly close, with frequent exchanges of high-level visits and the extending of mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests," Jia said.

On the economic front, both sides are complementary in agriculture, fishery, mining and infrastructure and their cooperation has witnessed continuous expansion.

In other fields, exchanges at various levels are also getting more and more frequent, deepening mutual understanding and traditional friendship.

Jia believed that a sound development of bilateral ties requires both sides to carry forward and consolidate their traditional friendship with mutual respect for each other's sovereignty, social conditions and the people's will and choices.