Your Excellency Dr. Sam Nujoma, Founding President of the Republic of Namibia,

Honorable Ministers, Honorable Governors and Honorable Deputy Ministers,

Excellencies from the Diplomatic Corps,

Representatives of the Chinese community,

Friends from the media,

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear friends,

Good evening!

First of all, I wish to extend my warmest welcome and sincere thanks to all of you for your gracious presence, which is a great support and encouragement for me. I’m deeply honored by your attendance and I shall always cherish the memory of this wonderful evening.

I am grateful to the Founding President for being with us this evening. The Founding President is a hero of the Namibian people and also a great founder of China-Namibian relations as well as a symbol of the China-Namibia friendship. So, now, distinguished guests, let’s welcome the Founding President with a big applause. 

This is my sixth overseas posting, and also the first time to Africa. I feel very excited about my new life here and I am full of expectations.

It has been exactly one month since my arrival in Namibia, and I have toured most parts of Windhoek, and traveled to places as far as Otjozondjupa, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. I enjoy everything here in Namibia, its beautiful scenery, friendly people, and amicable weather.

As the 34th largest country in the world in terms of land area, Namibia certainly has enormous potential of development. In spite of my short experience here, I have been deeply impressed by the strong confidence of the leaders and people of Namibia in the future of this wonderful country. I firmly believe that Namibia enjoys bright prospects of its national development, which are as broad as its vast land.

China will continue to be a reliable development partner of Namibia, providing support and help for Namibia’s social and economic development. We will focus more on aligning our work with Namibia’s economic development goals and actual needs, as we constantly expand our bilateral cooperation in extensive areas.

It is sad to learn that the northern part of Namibia has recently suffered severe floods, I wish to extend my sincere sympathy to the people affected by the disaster. I hope the life of the local communities there will return to normal soon and the Embassy will contribute its part to that. I also encourage the Chinese communities in Namibia to lend a hand to the relief efforts in the disaster areas.

The Chinese and Namibian people enjoy profound traditional friendship, and our two countries established diplomatic relations only one day after Namibia’s independence. Over the past 33 years, China and Namibia have always been supporting and helping each other with the bilateral relationship constantly deepening.

In 2018, President Xi Jinping and President Hage G. Geingob decided to establish the China-Namibia comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, and elevated our bilateral relations to a new high. During the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic, China and Namibia offered mutual assistance, and wrote a new chapter of China-Namibia friendship.  

My important mission as Chinese Ambassador is to faithfully implement the consensus of the leaders of our two countries, carry forward traditional friendship, actively promote our common interests, and further deepen friendly exchanges and practical cooperation in various fields, so as to bring more benefits to our two peoples.

Under the strong leadership of President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Government, and inspired by the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, China is marching toward the Second Centenary Goal of building itself into a great modern socialist country in all respects, and advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through the Chinese path to modernization.

China will continue to firmly follow an independent foreign policy of peace, unswervingly promote high-level opening-up, and actively push forward the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. The development of China will bring more opportunities to all countries in the world including Namibia.

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

I wish to say to my Namibian friends, during my tenure, I will make extensive contact with you and serve you whole-heartedly. I’m keen to learn your views and suggestions on the development of China-Namibia relations, and I am ready to work with you to promote bilateral cooperation in various fields.

I wish to say to my friends in the Chinese community, I will implement the idea of people-centered diplomacy promoted by the Chinese Government, and will actively provide support and assistance to you. I also hope you will make greater contributions to the economic and social development of Namibia.

I wish to say to my colleagues from other diplomatic missions, I will keep in close touch with you and together contribute our efforts to the development of the diplomatic corps.

Distinguished guests, now, in conclusion, may I propose a toast,

To the China-Namibia relations and the friendship of our two peoples,

And to the good health of the Founding Father, His Excellency Dr. Sam Nujoma, and everyone present tonight. Cheers!

Thank you.