Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Namibia's capital Windhoek on Monday 5 Feb 2007, continuing his eight-nation tour of Africa after his three-day visit to Zambia.

 

In Windhoek, Hu held talks with his Namibian counterpart Hifikepunye Pohamba on strengthening bilateral ties.

 

                                 

 

In a written statement released at the airport upon his arrival, Hu said that Namibia is one of the youngest countries in Africa. The Namibian people, hardworking, talented and full of vitality, won national independence in 1990 through arduous struggles and have since achieved great successes in national development.

 

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 17 years ago, the relationship between China and Namibia has been growing steadily, with fruitful cooperation in the political, economic, education, public health, cultural and other fields, he said.

 

  "I look forward to having an in-depth exchange of views with the Namibian leaders on the bilateral relationship, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and other major issues of mutual interest," he said.

 

Namibia is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in the fields of industry, human resources and infrastructure construction.