Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba met with Chen Bingde, member of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and chief of general staff of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) who was visiting Windhoek, capital of Namibia, on the afternoon of May 24. The two sides exchanged views on the relations between the two countries and the two militaries and other issues of common concern.
Pohamba welcomed Cheng Bingde’s visit. He said that Namibia and China had a long history of friendly contact and the Chinese government and people had made important contributions to Namibia’s fighting for independence and shaking off colonialism. Since Namibia got independence, the Namibia-China cooperation has entered a new stage and the two sides have reached many agreements and obtained remarkable achievements in bilateral relations.
Pohamba said that the leaders of the two countries hadve realized mutual visits in recent years and the government departments of the two sides have carried out extensive co-operation in economy, military, medical care and other fields. The Chinese military has made many contributions to the building of the Namibian military. Namibia appreciates the selfless aid and support offered by the Chinese government, people and military.
First and foremost, Chen Bingde conveyed President Hu Jintao’s cordial regards and good wishes to President Pohamba. Chen Bingde said that China and Namibia enjoy profound traditional friendship. China and Namibia’s efforts in strengthening co-operation in all fields are not only in the interests of peoples of the two countries, but can make important contributions to maintaining regional and world peace and development.
Chen Bingde said that the Chinese military hoped to have close high-level contact with the Namibian military, strengthen exchanges among middle-aged and young officers from both sides, deepen the pragmatic co-operation in academy education and personnel training and boost the friendly cooperative ties between the two militaries to a new level. Chen Bingde also expressed his thanks to the Namibian side for its support to China on Taiwan issue and Tibet issue.
On the morning of the same day, Chen Bingde met Charles Namoloh, defense minister of Namibia, and held talks with Peter Nambundunga, acting commander of the Namibian Defense Forces. At their meetings, the two sides made an in-depth discussion on further strengthening the exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries and reached consensus in many regards. Chen Bingde also introduced China’s social and economic development as well as the situation of Chinese national defense and army building.
Wei Fenghe, chief of staff of the Second Artillery Force (SAF) of the PLA, Cai Yingting, chief of staff of the Nanjing Military Area Command (MAC) of the PLA, and Ai Husheng, chief of staff of the Chengdu MAC of the PLA, from Chen Bingde’s party, Zhang Yiming, chargé d'affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Namibia, and commanders of the Namibian Army, Navy and Air Force attended the activities.