Niël Terblanché
Chinese Ambassador to Namibia, Zhao Weiping, says China is ready to share its development experience and support Namibia’s efforts to fight poverty and reach its goals.
Speaking at a press briefing in Windhoek on Tuesday, Zhao highlighted how China has lifted millions out of poverty.
He introduced two books that outline President Xi Jinping’s approach to governance and poverty reduction.
“One is up and Out of Poverty’,” Zhao said, referring to a collection of President Xi Jinping’s writings from his time as a local Party official.
He added that the second is ‘Eradicating Poverty’, which contains excerpts from Xi’s remarks on poverty alleviation between 2012 and 2018.”
Zhao said the books provide insight into the policies and leadership that helped China officially end absolute poverty in 2020.
He compared China’s development model to Western approaches and said countries must find their own paths.
“There doesn’t exist a fixed model for the path to modernisation. Cutting one’s feet to fit the shoes will lead nowhere,” he said.
Zhao says Chinese-style modernisation is people-centred and based on local realities. He said it aims for shared growth, cultural progress, and peaceful development.
In March, China donated 1,360 metric tonnes of rice to Namibia as part of the country’s drought relief program for 2024/25.
In 2023, China gave N$25.9 million in food aid through the China International Development Cooperation Agency.
Zhao said China supports Namibia’s goals under the SWAPO Party Manifesto and Implementation Plan.
“We are now earnestly implementing the outcomes of the 2024 Beijing FOCAC Summit. Good progress has been made in pushing forward important projects funded by the Chinese government grant, such as the police housing project, borehole drilling, smart city pilot, and social housing projects,” he said.
He confirmed that food aid has started arriving in Namibia. The first batch was distributed in January, and another shipment is expected soon.
Zhao also announced new trade deals, including the export of Namibian mutton and chevon to China.
“The two sides are also actively discussing the export of Namibia’s other agricultural and aquatic products,” he said.
He said investment and vocational training are areas for further cooperation.
“There is enormous potential for investment cooperation between our two countries. The Chinese government will continue to encourage Chinese enterprises to expand their investments in Namibia,” he said.
He also mentioned recent efforts to strengthen political ties, such as the visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and China’s participation in memorial events for the late Sam Nujoma.
Zhao said he is confident that ties between the two countries will grow stronger under President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership.
“China will always provide support to the Namibian government’s efforts in achieving the goals set up in the SWAPO Party Manifesto. We are thrilled to share our experience of modernisation with our African friends and join hands in achieving modernisation together,” he said.
Zhao said China sees itself not just as a donor but as a willing partner in Namibia’s development.
