On the afternoon of December 19, 2005, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with his Namibian counterpart Hifikepunye Pohamba in the Great Hall of the People. The two heads of state exchanged in-depth views and reached broad consensus on deepening bilateral traditional friendship, expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas and jointly opening the new situation for bilateral friendly cooperative relations in the new century.

Hu said that both peoples share a history of long-term friendly exchanges and fraternal profound friendship. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 15 years ago, bilateral relations have withstood the tests of time and changed situation and have been steadily consolidated and developed. Bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the areas of politics, economy & trade, culture & education, health and judicature have been steadily expanded and scored remarkable achievements. Both sides have also kept close consultations and mutual coordination on major international and regional issues. China highly appreciates and thanks for Namibia's resolute adoption of the one-China policy and support of China's grand cause of peaceful reunification.

Pohamba said that the friendship between both peoples could be dated back to the1960s. Either in the fight of the Namibian people for independence and freedom or in the process of Namibia's national development since its independence, the Chinese government and people offered to the Namibian people sincere and resolute support and assistance, for which China is deeply thankful. Now bilateral relations with a solid foundation have been developing soundly and the cooperation has been steadily enhanced. He hoped that his current visit will further strengthen bilateral cooperation and bring benefits to both peoples.

Pohamba emphasized that the Namibian government resolutely pursues the one-China policy and supports its grand cause of reunification.

Hu indicated that currently bilateral relations have entered a new development stage. In order to open a new situation for the development of bilateral relations, he suggested that both sides make further efforts in the following four aspects. First, to maintain friendly exchanges between high-level officials, parliaments and parties, as well as those at all levels and between all departments of both sides and consolidate and develop their sound political relations. Second, to give play to mutually complementary advantages, expand cooperation area and trade scale and elevate the level of bilateral economic and trade cooperation. China would like to strengthen cooperation with Namibia in the areas of mineral resources exploitation, agriculture & fishery, infrastructure and communications and encourage more Chinese businesses with strength to participate in Namibia's construction and development. Third, to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the areas of tourism, judicature and human resources development. China decided to list Namibia as a destination country of Chinese citizens traveling abroad and would like to train urgently needed professionals for Namibia through various channels and approaches. Fourth, to strengthen bilateral consultations and coordination in international and regional affairs and jointly safeguard the rights and interest of developing nations.

Pohamba said that Namibia looks forward to expanding exchanges and deepening friendship with China. In the economic and trade area, it is hoped that both sides will strengthen cooperation in railway, electric power, ports and other infrastructure construction, as well as communications, agriculture, fishery and mining industry development and Namibia welcomes Chinese businesses to invest in the above areas in Namibia. At the same time, it is hoped that both sides will strengthen exchanges in tourism and vocational education.

The two heads of state also exchanged views on the African situation and China-Africa relations. Hu emphasized that to consolidate China-Africa traditional friendship, strengthen their all-round cooperation and realize common development of China and Africa is an unswerving policy of the Chinese government. China would like to work with African countries to earnestly implement its five measures on assisting developing countries, especially African ones, with their development and make greater contributions to Africa's progress and development by taking the China-Africa Cooperation Forum as an effective platform.

Pohamba made highly positive comments on China's positive role in international and regional affairs, as well as its policy towards Africa, indicating that his country would like to strengthen communication and coordination with China to jointly safeguard the interest of developing nations and push for the development of China-Africa relations.

Following the talks, the two heads of state jointly attended the signing ceremony of the agreement on economic and technological cooperation between the two governments and other bilateral cooperation documents.

Prior to the talks, President Hu held a ceremony in the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People to welcome President Pohamba's visit to China. President Hu's wife Liu Yongqing, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) Han Qide, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Li Meng, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League Li Chong'an, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Minister of Finance Jin Renqing and other officials attended the welcoming ceremony.