Justicia Shipena
The Chinese ambassador to Namibia, Zhao Weiping, says China supports Namibia’s goal of industrialisation and value addition.
Speaking at his second press meeting of the year at the Chinese Embassy in Windhoek on Wednesday, Weiping said China understands Namibia’s economic aspirations.
Four months ago, speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said China can support Namibia in adding value to its natural resources.
“On value addition, China fully understands Namibia’s aspiration for industrialisation, modernisation, and value addition, which is very important for your economy. I think as time goes by, you may see more Chinese companies heading in that direction,” he said.
Weiping said more Chinese companies are showing growing interest in investing in Namibia as bilateral trade continues to expand.
“Our political relationship continues to enjoy very close relations. In terms of bilateral cooperation, I think we have also made some achievements,” he said.
Bilateral trade between China and Namibia grew by more than 25% in the first eight months of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
China remains a major investor in Namibia.
Weiping said there is a growing number of Chinese companies showing interest in expanding their business ventures in Namibia.
Bilateral trade between the two countries reached about US$1.3 billion in 2024.
Data from the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) earlier this year showed that China remained Namibia’s top export destination in November 2024.
Weiping said China and Namibia continue to enjoy close political and economic ties.
He noted that China remains committed to supporting Namibia’s development through mutually beneficial cooperation.
He also discussed China’s Global Governance Initiative (GGI), which he said is based on five core ideas: sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, a people-centred approach, and real action.
The GGI aims to reform and improve global institutions.
“By proposing GGI, China does not mean to overturn the existing international order but to reform and improve the existing international system and international institutions,” he said.
“By proposing GGI, China does not mean to form bloc confrontation but to reaffirm its commitment to effective multilateralism.”
He said China’s goal through the initiative is to promote democracy in international relations and safeguard the interests of the Global South.
Weiping also spoke about Africa’s call for justice and reparations, saying China supports the continent’s demands for redress of historical injustices.
“I would like to point out that China fully understands Africa’s demand for the West to provide reparations and redress historical injustices related to the slave trade,” he said.
Caption
Zhao Weiping
- Photo: Justicia Shipena
